WASHINGTON – With Hurricane Ian drawing closer to a Category 5 storm. President Joe Biden detailed his administration’s efforts to prepare for the storm and warned residents to heed warnings from officials.
“This storm is incredibly dangerous to state the obvious — it’s life-threatening,” said Biden.
Biden said he talked with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Tuesday evening, which marked the first time the two leaders had spoken directly about the storm.
“We are on alert and in action to help Floridians as Hurricane Ian hits the state,” said President Biden.
It comes after Biden approved DeSantis’ request for a federal emergency declaration ahead of the storm Tuesday and says resources to help Floridians are on the move.
When asked about the conversation between Biden and DeSantis, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre pushed politics aside when dealing with an extreme weather situation.
“There’s no politics in this when we talk about extreme weather, this is about the people of Florida,” Jean-Pierre answered.
Biden said Wednesday the federal government will be “ready to help in every single way possible” during Hurricane Ian.
Florida Senator Rick Scott tweeted “Now is the time to get prepared. Ian’s track has shifted but this is still projected by
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said that she is most concerned about the storm surge.
“My biggest concern is the water, both the storm surge and the inland flooding – water is one of the leading causes of death,” said Criswell.
In response, FEMA has a search and rescue team out of Miami and the National Guard ready to be deployed to the hardest hit areas.
“We’ll be there to help you clean up and rebuild, help Florida get moving again,” said Biden.