President Obama on Hurricane Irene: ‘Take It Seriously. Don’t Wait. Don’t Delay.’
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ABC News' Stephanie Z. Smith reports from Martha's Vineyard:
The words were stark and foreboding: “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,” President Obama warned this morning from the Blue Heron Farm here where he is wrapping up his 10-day vacation.
As Hurricane Irene continues her ominous trek up the Eastern Seaboard, the president is spending his last full day of vacation here but keeping close watch on the Category 2 storm, saying Irene has the potential to be an “historic hurricane.”
Before his on camera statement, the president held a conference call with his emergency response team, FEMA Director Craig Fugate, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Chief of Staff Bill Daley, and John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security.
He also spoke with governors and mayors of major metropolitan areas along the Eastern Seaboard, “to let them know that this administration is in full support of their efforts to prepare for this storm and stands ready to fully support their response efforts.”
FEMA has been gearing up for the storm since last weekend, deploying its Incident Management Assistance Teams to staging areas and communities up and down the coast. They’ve pre-positioned millions of liters of water, meals and tens of thousands of cots and blankets in areas where the hurricane is expected to hit.
"I cannot stress this highly enough: If you are in the projected path of this hurricane, you have to take precautions now," Mr. Obama said. "We all hope for the best. But we have to be prepared for the worst. All of us have to take this storm seriously."
“If you're in the way of this hurricane, you should be preparing now.” Obama asserted. ” If you aren't sure how to prepare your families or your home or your business for a hurricane, or any other emergency, then you can visit ready.gov — that's ready.gov — or listo.gov — that's L-I-S-T- O-dot-gov.
Officials said the administration has been ”constantly exercising and preparing" for this type of national disaster for some time, including an exercise in 2009 which simulated a category 2 hurricane hitting New York City.
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the president is spending his last full day of vacation here but keeping close watch on the Category 2 storm, saying Irene has the potential to be an “historic hurricane.”
Does this idiot know anything? It does NOT have the potential to be historic. No one is even predicting that it will strengthen.
Posted by: foggy | August 26, 2011, 12:53 pm 12:53 pm
This is no Katrina. And the President did not need to speak. Every news site, TV station
is covering this. Turn on network TV an hour will not go by without mentioning
this. We are not living in the early 1900′s
if you do not get out of it’s way your not trying.
Posted by: deadwrestler | August 26, 2011, 12:54 pm 12:54 pm
Due to the Hurricane along the coastline I will be diverted to Hawaii where I will spend the next 25 days relaxing from all the hard work at Martha Vineyard..Thank you. B.O.
Posted by: America in Decline | August 26, 2011, 1:01 pm 1:01 pm
foggy get a grip. The Prez did the right thing coming out and telling people they should heed the warnings of their state officials.
I love to criticize the President as much as anyone else but he is actually doing his job for once.
Posted by: Denbo | August 26, 2011, 1:02 pm 1:02 pm
This is no Katrina. And the President did not need to speak. Every news site, TV station
is covering this.
Posted by: deadwrestler | Aug 26, 2011 12:54:15 PM
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True but…. This hurricane will mainly impact the most Liberal areas, and as we all know they do not have the sense to come in out of the rain
Posted by: America in Decline | August 26, 2011, 1:04 pm 1:04 pm
““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,” ”
Just like once in awhile a blind squirrel finds a nut, I agree with the President. That being said, this admonishment should have been given yesterday.
The only problem we have is that for years now NOAA and our sensationalistic media play up each and every hurricane season and cover each hurricane as if it was the next “big one.” Many people start to become used to the warnings and just wait for this one to fizzle out like the ones before (my father being one of them). Only this time it looks like its coming to fruition and it will be at those who ignored the warning’s peril.
Posted by: J.R. | August 26, 2011, 1:35 pm 1:35 pm
““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,” ”
He’s leaving, but Moochie and the girls aren’t. This is wrong in so many ways.
Posted by: wheresmymoney | August 26, 2011, 1:45 pm 1:45 pm
“Except for you, Honey. You and the girls will be fine” (insert toothy grin)
Posted by: Rafe | August 26, 2011, 1:59 pm 1:59 pm
Deadwrestler,Isabel wasn’t Katrina either but it caused massive disruption to the D.C. area with people not having power for weeks.In addition,now we have mayors and governors addressing the issue,pushing evacuations, not like the idiots of Katrina,Blanco and Nagin.
Posted by: Nephron | August 26, 2011, 2:06 pm 2:06 pm
I wish he would just stay put and leave wash. alone. Ive had enough “shared sacrifice!”
Posted by: shawn | August 26, 2011, 2:11 pm 2:11 pm
@denbo
I quite clearly took exception to the phrase “historic hurricane”.
Where do u find overstating the dangers of a storm in the presidents job description?
Posted by: foggy | August 26, 2011, 2:15 pm 2:15 pm
Hello America, now you can see the wisdom in cutting down all those big lumbering trees hanging over the street and power poles. Fezzy Bear has told you before, Big trees belong in the City Park and not next to the house. I think if I had a chainsaw, I would cut the big tree down before the Hurricane blows it down on top of the house, but maybe thats just me. do as you will. sinceely Fezzy Bear
Posted by: Fezzy Bear | August 26, 2011, 3:12 pm 3:12 pm
and don’t forget – EAT YOUR PEAS and make sure your tires are filled up.
The damage that will be caused by Hurricane Irene will be little compared to the damage inflicted by Hurricane Barry.
Posted by: bl | August 26, 2011, 7:07 pm 7:07 pm
On another note, it looks like New York is going to get some federal money after a couple of lawn chairs are knocked over.
Posted by: bl | August 26, 2011, 7:08 pm 7:08 pm
“Does this idiot know anything?”
What happened to all the usual Right Wing howling here about “being responsible”?
From Richmond, VA: “The last time we had a storm with ‘just’ tropical force winds (Isabel), tractor trailer trucks (and a lot of rats) were literally surfing in the waves downtown. There was so much rushing water holes opened up in parking lots that cars disappeared. Trees came crashing down for days after because of the wind damage and saturated soil. Electricity was out for about a week even though crews from other states moved in to help. The water treatment plants had to shut down which meant no water for 2-3 days in the city. Believe me when I say it’s not fun to spend 4 or 5 days in the humid summer with no electricity or plumbing.”
No surprise the unabashed bashing continues. A perfect example of just how far Right conservatives have mutated, even when this President recommends erring on the side of caution, you know, “being responsible”.
Posted by: green.goddess | August 26, 2011, 7:44 pm 7:44 pm
For those who commented that this storm isn’t that serious because of its category, look at a weather map and see how huge it is. It’s as big as Europe. This storm does have the potential to be historic in the damage it does.
Good luck to everyone in the path of the storm and please take care.
Posted by: Lydia | August 26, 2011, 11:11 pm 11:11 pm
How do I apply for a job with the travel channel like Samantha Brown’s job?
Posted by: Sylvester Kala | September 1, 2011, 11:13 pm 11:13 pm