Barack Obama warns Hurricane Irene flooding could worsen
Barack Obama has warned that flooding from Hurricane Irene could worsen as rivers flood their banks and said federal recovery efforts would last a few weeks.
Irene has been downgraded to a tropical storm and was bringing heavy rains and wind to New England as it headed north.
The storm forced transit closures and flight cancellations and led to widespread power outages along the East Coast.
In an appearance at the White House, Obama said: "I want people to understand this is not over. Response and recovery efforts will be an ongoing operation."
But New York City appeared to have avoided the mass devastation that many had feared.
He said: "One of our chief concerns before Irene made landfall was the possibility of significant flooding and widespread power outages and we've been getting reports of just that from our state and local partners.
"Many Americans are still at serious risk of power outages and flooding, which could get worse in the coming days as rivers swell past their banks."
Obama cut short his vacation in Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts by one day to return to Washington on Friday to oversee preparations for the storm.
The storm forced transit closures and flight cancellations and led to widespread power outages along the East Coast.
In an appearance at the White House, Obama said: "I want people to understand this is not over. Response and recovery efforts will be an ongoing operation."
But New York City appeared to have avoided the mass devastation that many had feared.
He said: "One of our chief concerns before Irene made landfall was the possibility of significant flooding and widespread power outages and we've been getting reports of just that from our state and local partners.
"Many Americans are still at serious risk of power outages and flooding, which could get worse in the coming days as rivers swell past their banks."
Obama cut short his vacation in Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts by one day to return to Washington on Friday to oversee preparations for the storm.
telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/barackobama/8729288/Barack-Obama-w
Hurricane Irene effects to be 'felt for some time'
US politicians, the media and the apocalypse that never was
New York escapes worst of Hurricane Irene's impact
Thousands of flights grounded as hurricane shuts airports
No comments:
Post a Comment