February 06, 2008

White House Keeping Eye On Storm Aftermath

The White House sought to convey a message to the thousands of victims of deadly storms that hit the South last night: We're on top of it.

Following the fumbled response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Bush administration has been closely watched during subsequent natural disasters. Yesterday, President Bush authorized emergency federal disaster assistance to Missouri, and this morning, he offered thoughts and prayers to the victims.

"I do want the people in these states to know the American people are standing with them," he said, adding that he pledged federal disaster assistance to the affected states.

More than 50 people have died in the violent storms and tornadoes that hit Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee, according to CNN. States of emergency have been declared throughout those states, and teams from the Federal Emergency Management Agency are on the ground.

During the noon briefing, White House deputy press secretary Tony Fratto sought to assure the public that the federal government was closely monitoring the situation.

"Federal officials continue to work with state and local emergency services throughout the region," Fratto said, adding that Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff was "in contact" with the governors of the affected states. "FEMA staff and resources have been dispatched."

He advised people living in the path of the storm to check with their local weather services as well as www.ready.gov, the public Web site of DHS.

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama indirectly took Bush to task for the federal government's disaster response after Hurricane Katrina during his Super Tuesday speech last night. In reference to victims of the storms, he told supporters, "I hope our federal government will respond quickly and rapidly to make sure they get all the help they need."

The White House has not yet said whether Bush plans to visit the region.

Posted at 1:15 PM
Posted to: Bush Administration, Homeland Security, Katrina, President Bush
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