Hurricane Ian could have caused “substantial” human losses in Florida, said US President Joe Biden on Thursday, who wants to visit this southern state as well as the also damaged island of Puerto Rico.
“This could be the deadliest hurricane in Florida history,” he said during a visit to the offices of the federal agency that supports natural disasters, FEMA.
“The figures … are not yet clear, but we are receiving initial reports of human losses that could be substantial,” he added.
“When conditions allow, I will go to Florida to personally thank” those involved in relief and reconstruction operations, the US president said, explaining that he did not want to interrupt emergency operations for the time being.
“Saving lives and homes”
Asked if he would also visit the island of Puerto Rico, hit by Hurricane Fiona, he said he “intends” to do so.
The 79-year-old Democrat also responded briefly to a question about his dealings with Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a far-right figure and one of his fiercest critics.
“This is about saving lives and homes, that’s what it’s about. I (…) spoke with him four or five times and it has nothing to do with our discrepancies on other issues, ”she assured.
Joe Biden promised to deploy all necessary federal resources to Florida: “We will rebuild with state and local authorities. We will stay as long as necessary.”
The United States discovered this Thursday the “historic” damage of the powerful Hurricane Ian, which “devastated” certain cities in Florida according to the governor of this state and left, according to the latest report, at least two dead.
Source: BFM TV
