President Trump arrives here today as Hurricane Florence barrels toward the East Coast of the U.S. President Trump is currently declaring a state of emergency in several states along the storm’s possible path and having emergency vehicles in place. He spoke to the nation today about the storm and its impact.
President Trump this morning expressed doubt about the Coast Guard saying, “They’re not good enough. They’re far too expensive … They’re out to lunch. Our coast guard is our guardian angel.” Meanwhile he offered various assistance to North Carolina and all three governors.
President Trump remarks during Monday’s address on the storm:
According to the National Weather Service, Hurricane Florence is expected to make landfall along the coast of North Carolina or South Carolina between Thursday and Friday as a major hurricane.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper urged residents to evacuate ahead of the arrival of hurricane Florence with flooding conditions predicted by Thursday.
The path of Florence could cause significant coastal flooding and significant storm surge along the Atlantic coast of North Carolina and South Carolina through Friday, and could bring life-threatening flooding and storm surge to portions of the South Carolina coast through Friday.
The NWS reports that Florence will move slowly across the Carolinas over the next few days. The effects of the storm and its surge are expected to intensify this week as the center of the storm nears the coast and makes landfall sometime Thursday.
The NWS warns that impacts from Florence will impact many communities for days to come as it moves offshore and affects several coastal states. Several counties were declared disaster areas late last week, after Gov. Cooper issued a mandatory evacuation.
The announcement was one of a series of authorities issuing warnings and warnings in recent days. President Trump announced in a tweet late Sunday that Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen will be traveling to the Coast Guard for a briefing.
We will be starting with a briefing at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington on the National Hurricane Center.” Homeland Security Sec. Kirstjen Nielsen will be in Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Thursday to receive a briefing from NHC director Kenneth Graham on the effects of Hurricane Florence. — The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 3, 2018
The president also announced on Twitter that FEMA administrator Brock Long and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen will be traveling to the affected states later today.
Both @TODAYshow and @NBCNightlyNews are reporting that the Coast Guard is wasting money on unnecessary wind towers on the East Coast. I will have an announcement on wind towers. They are wasting money on wind farms that can be very dangerous and can blow down power lines. Do not go near them – they are not necessary! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 3, 2018
Hurricane Florence is expected to be an “extremely dangerous” category 4 hurricane with Category 5 wind speeds.
The National Hurricane Center warns that the latest forecast models indicate that Florence will then have a path toward the North Carolina and South Carolina coast, where it is expected to “lose some of its intensity” and then move offshore.
This storm is far bigger than Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and will be even stronger. This Storm is off the East Coast and will be at our Doorstep shortly. Be safe and get out of its way if you don’t need to be there! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 2, 2018
This storm will be a “monster.” The impacts will be far reaching. A Storm of this magnitude will destroy infrastructure and kill many. We must be prepared, bold and compassionate, together we can #DoMore! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 2, 2018
More information in this story by Bill Barrow https://www.fxn.com/2solGME