WASHINGTON – As Hurricane Ian threatens Florida, President Joe Biden approved Gov. Ron DeSantis’ request for a federal emergency declaration ahead of the storm Tuesday and says resources to help Floridians are on the move.
Biden was supposed to visit South Florida Tuesday, but his trip was postponed.
He delivered remarks about the storm from the Rose Garden.
“My administration is on alert and in action to help the people of Florida,” Biden said.
Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell had just returned from Miami and briefed the nation from the White House Tuesday.
“This is significant, because Floridians will experience the impacts of this storm for a very long time,” Criswell said.
Members of the National Guard and reservist personnel were ready to be deployed to the hardest hit areas. Generators were being pre-staged to restore power to critical infrastructure.
Supplies also moved in to Florida, like 3.7 million meals, 3.5 million liters of water, and 128,000 gallons of fuel.
“We have established a search and rescue coordination group that is going to be in Miami,” Criswell said.