Gragg, who declined to say whether she’s a Democrat or Republican, told me she had supported Obama in the past. His visit solidified her vote in the fast-approaching election.

“It totally impacted my vote. He was there before I was there,” she says, noting that she was still evacuated from the town. “The fact he cared enough to come and tour these areas immediately meant a lot to me as someone who was devastated by this event.”