WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden warned on Tuesday that Hurricane Milton, a powerful Category 4 storm headed toward the southeastern United States, could become the worst hurricane to strike Florida in over a century.
In a press briefing at the White House, Biden urged residents in affected areas to evacuate immediately. “This could be the worst storm to hit Florida in over a century. God willing it won’t be, but that’s what it’s looking like right now,” Biden stated.
Biden further stressed, “You should evacuate now, now, now. You should have already evacuated. It’s a matter of life and death, and that’s not hyperbole.”
In light of the impending storm, Biden said that he had postponed a planned trip to Angola and Germany, asserting that his presence was necessary to oversee federal preparations and responses to Hurricane Milton. “I just don’t think I can be out of the country at this time,” he said.
Biden also took the opportunity to condemn misinformation being circulated by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and others regarding hurricane relief efforts, particularly ahead of the upcoming November election.
He expressed his frustration, stating, “Those who do it, do it to try to damage the administration. It’s un-American. It really is. People are scared to death. People know their lives are at stake, all that they’ve worked for, all that they own, all that they value.”
The President’s comments come just over a week after Hurricane Helene devastated parts of the southeastern United States, resulting in over 230 fatalities.
Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that Biden was coordinating the response not only for Hurricane Milton but also for the aftermath of Helene, which left widespread destruction in its wake.
Biden had been due to leave on Thursday for his valedictory trip to key ally Germany, where he was to meet European leaders to shore up support for Ukraine’s fight against Russia.
But leaving as a hurricane approached would have posed severe political risks at home just 28 days before a tight US presidential election.
Trump has already been spreading misinformation about the emergency response by Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee on November 5.
