WASHINGTON — President Obama yesterday cut short his family’s Martha’s Vineyard vacation, and warned that Hurricane Irene looked to be a “historic hurricane,” urging East Coast residents to “take it seriously.”
Obama left the island getaway last night to return a day early to the White House, where he’ll keep tabs on the massive storm as it barrels up the East Coast.
“I cannot stress this highly enough: If you are in the projected path of this hurricane, you have to take precautions now. Don’t wait. Don’t delay,” Obama pleaded in a speech from Martha’s Vineyard before leaving for Washington.
COMPLETE HURRICANE IRENE COVERAGE
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As the storm headed to pummel the coast from North Carolina to New England, Obama promised he was “bringing all federal resources to bear” in case of disaster.
He called on residents to heed evacuation orders and other advisories to prepare for the worst.
“All of us have to take this storm seriously,” he said. “You need to listen to your state and local officials, and if you are given an evacuation order, please follow it.”
Obama said he received a full briefing on Hurricane Irene in the morning, and spoke with governors whose states were bracing for its impact, plus Mayor Bloomberg.
Gov. Cuomo yesterday said Obama had approved his request for an emergency declaration for New York that will allow federal assistance to flow into the state.
“I thank the President for his quick response,” Cuomo said. “We are working hard at all levels of government to prepare for this storm, and we appreciate the federal government’s support.”