North Carolina locals who survived Hurricane Helene in September but suffered massive losses from the storm share their thoughts on President Donald Trump's visit.

Donald and Melania Trump are stopping in North Carolina, California and Nevada during the first second term trip. Follow along for live updates.

Speaking to reporters, the president predicted future disasters would need “probably less FEMA, because FEMA just hasn’t done the job. And we’re looking at the whole concept of FEMA.”

( NewsNation) — President Donald Trump kicked off his first cross-country tour of his second term Friday, visiting disaster areas in North Carolina and California before heading to Nevada on Saturday for a rally.

FLETCHER, N.C. (WLOS) — Community members gathered in Fletcher, N.C., for the annual Repticon on Jan. 25. Dozens of species of snakes, geckos, and other reptiles were welcomed at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center, where visitors could learn about and meet the reptiles and purchase exotic animal products.

President Donald Trump said he's considering "getting rid of" FEMA as he hit the road for the first time since his second inauguration, visiting victims of Hurricane Helene and the California wildfires.

President Donald Trump is visiting western North Carolina on Friday in what will be his first trip since retaking the White House. The 47th president is set to visit the Asheville area as the region continues to recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene.

Trump and First Lady Melania Trump arrived in Asheville, North Carolina, around 10 a.m. on Friday, making stops in Fletcher and Swannanoa. The president spoke alongside local residents and politicians before departing for California later in the afternoon to visit areas affected by wildfires.

President Trump is taking the first trip of his term on Friday to North Carolina and California, visiting communities grappling with recovery from natural disasters.

President Trump is taking the first trip of his term on Friday to North Carolina and California, visiting communities grappling with recovery from natural disasters.

FLETCHER, N.C. — President Donald Trump said Friday that he was considering “getting rid of” the Federal Emergency Management Agency, offering the latest sign of how he is weighing sweeping changes to the nation's central organization for responding to disasters.

When Rachel Baker and her husband Albert made the decision to move to Western North Carolina in 2020, it was truly a leap of faith.