President Biden will visit Florida on Wednesday to survey damage caused by Hurricane Ian, his second storm-related trip this week.
The president, who will be accompanied by first lady Jill Biden, will travel toto “reaffirm his commitment to supporting the people of Florida as they recover and rebuild from the devastating storm,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters.
Biden plans to meet with small-business owners and residents affected by the hurricane, she said. He will thank federal, state and local officials who are working to restore power, clean up debris and distribute food and water, along with providing other lifesaving assistance.Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images file
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis; Deanne Criswell, the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency; and state and local officials will also provide Biden with an operational briefing on the response and recovery efforts, Jean-Pierre said. More than 100 deaths have been blamed on Ian, which made landfall in southwest Florida as a Category 4 hurricane last Wednesday, bringing 150 mph winds and storm surges as high as 14 feet.
Biden said Friday that Ian would likely be one the worst storms in the country’s history and that it could take years toThousands of Floridians are in emergency shelters after their homes were damaged or destroyed, and thousands of people are still without power.
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