WASHINGTON — President Biden has spoken. hurricane milton “We’re here for you,” he promised Florida residents and others affected by recent storms ahead of landfall Wednesday night. He said his administration would provide assistance “for as long as necessary for rescue, recovery and reconstruction.”
Biden said that although Milton has been downgraded to Category 3, it is expected to be “one of the most destructive hurricanes to hit Florida in 100 years.”
“Milton remains incredibly destructive and has the potential to devastate communities and cause loss of life,” Biden said. “We urge everyone in the path of Hurricane Milton to listen to their local authorities and follow all safety instructions they provide. Evacuation will likely be difficult at this time, so seek safer shelter. In some cases, traveling just a few miles can be the difference between life and death. ”
The president assured Floridians and others affected by the recent storms: “We have your back.” He said his administration would provide assistance “for as long as necessary for rescue, recovery and reconstruction.”
The president said he is surging federal assets to help. He said 20 million meals and 40 million liters of water had been prepared, adding that the Pentagon had prepositioned search and rescue teams, helicopters and water tankers.
Mr. Biden postponed He will be visiting Germany and Angola this week to oversee the federal government’s response to the hurricanes. Soaring toward the west coast of Florida as a Category 3 storm. Biden was scheduled to leave for Germany on Thursday and then head to Angola in southern Africa. The trip was supposed to be Biden’s first visit to Africa as president.
Milton made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, at 8:30 p.m. ET. Officials who briefed President Kamala Harris and the Vice President on hurricane preparedness said the situation could quickly deteriorate. They warned of a storm surge of 10 to 15 feet above ground level extending from the southern Tampa Bay area to the Fort Myers and Naples areas. They said a wider area was at risk of devastating wind impacts, widespread power outages and structural damage.
Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanna Criswell, who was in Florida Wednesday night, assured that the agency stands ready to assist all states affected by the storm. She also warned that it may be too late for some to safely evacuate.
“Some people may still be able to evacuate safely, but it may already be too late,” Criswell said at a White House press briefing. “Again, listen to your local officials. They will know exactly what you are still capable of.”
Biden earlier Wednesday approved a state of emergency for Florida, saying he had provided state and local officials with “everything they need.” He also gave them a personal phone number so they could contact him if they had any problems.
“We have made available an unprecedented number of assets to address this crisis,” the president said. “I’m going to keep working on this until I’m done.”
The President also condemned those who committed the following acts: spread false information He said the government’s rescue and recovery efforts were “harmful to those who need assistance most.”
“Former President Trump led an onslaught of lies,” Biden said.
He reiterated his criticism in an evening speech, saying “these lies are un-American” and undermine the work of those who risk their lives to help people in need.
Biden said claims that people’s property is being confiscated, that crisis funds are being diverted to illegal immigrants and that hurricane victims will only receive $750 in aid are “absolutely not true.” said.
“It’s outrageous. It has to stop,” he said. “At moments like these, there are no red states or blue states, there is one United States of America, where neighbor helps neighbor, where volunteers and first responders risk everything, including their lives, to help their fellow Americans. State, local and federal officials are standing together.
Asked by reporters whether he had considered calling Trump to ask him to stop making false claims, Biden dismissed the idea with, “Oh, well.”