CHILMARK, Mass. (AP) — President
Barack Obama urged the millions of Americans in the path of Hurricane Irene to
heed instructions from state and local officials, especially if directed to
evacuate. "Don't wait, don't delay," he said Friday.
Speaking from his vacation rental on
Martha's Vineyard, Mass., also in Irene's path, the president said the federal
government is "bringing all federal resources to bear" in response to
what looks to be a historic storm.
"I cannot stress this highly
enough, if you are in the projected path of this hurricane you have to take
precautions now," the president said.
Obama said he had been briefed on
Irene's status Friday morning by top federal officials. He said he also called
governors of states and mayors of communities in the expected hurricane path.
Warnings were in effect from North Carolina to New Jersey.
As he spoke, rains from Irene's outer
bands began hitting the Carolinas, along with 6- to 9-foot waves. On Martha's
Vineyard, though, Obama stood in the shade of a poplar tree outside a
gray-shingled cottage. Otherwise it was bright sunshine, not a cloud in the
sky.
Obama isn't expected to change his
schedule as a result of the storm. He already planned to leave the island
retreat to return to the White House on Saturday, the day the storm is expected
to pass through the Washington region.
He cited two government web sites,
one in English and one in Spanish, that provide advice on how to prepare for
emergencies — www.ready.gov and www.listo.gov.
Obama said the Federal Emergency
Management Agency has been deploying teams up and down the East Coast along
Irene's projected path. He said the agency has millions of liters of water,
millions of meals and tens of thousands of cots and blankets positioned along
the Eastern Seaboard.
The American Red Cross has been
preparing shelters in North Carolina and other states, he said.
He cautioned that it would take time
for first responders to begin rescue operations and get resources to people in
need.
"So the more you can do to be
prepared now, making a plan, make a supply kit , know your evacuation route,
follow instructions of your local officials, the quicker we can focus our
resources after the storm on those who need help the most," he said.
"All indications point to this
being a historic hurricane."
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
(AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
