2 weeks Ago
President Joe Biden announced plans to increase the size and presence of the federal response to Hurricane Milton, following his approval of an emergency declaration for Florida. The order allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency to pre-stage resources ahead of the hurricane's landfall. The declaration includes the deployment of search and rescue, health care and medical teams, engineers for temporary power, personnel for debris removal and roofing, over 300 ambulances, and five bases stocked with food and water.
Senior members of the administration updated Biden on the storm and the government's preparations. Afterward, Biden warned people to heed evacuation orders, with Milton forecast as one of the worst storms this century. "If you're under evacuation orders, you should evacuate now, now, now.
You should have already evacuated," he said Tuesday at the White House. "It's a matter of life and death, and that is not hyperbole." Biden said there are enough federal resources to respond to Milton and continue recovery work in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene but noted a disaster loan program for small businesses will run out in a matter of weeks.
The administration has also worked to counter the spread of misinformation and disinformation surrounding the hurricanes. Biden called the spread of bad information as "un-American." Earlier, the White House launched its own Reddit account to communicate accurate information, correct misinformation and disinformation, and keep people informed about recovery and response to Milton and Helene.
FEMA released its 'Rumor Response' page meant to keep people aware of rumors and scams that are also being spread. Biden postponed his trip to Germany and Angola this week to monitor Hurricane Milton..
