WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden offered condolences to the victims of the attack deadly storms which roamed through several states late Friday and early Saturday morning promising that the federal government would provide all resources necessary to help with the recovery.
“We’ll get through this together,” said Biden of Wilmington, Delaware. “The federal government is not going to leave. This is one of those times when we are not Democrats or Republicans. We are all Americans. “
Biden said he continues to oversee the search and rescue efforts and plans to travel to the badly damaged areas, but will wait until he is sure his visit won’t interfere with the rescue teams.
“I don’t want to be in the way,” he said.
“It’s devastating”: Look at the damage from the tornado that tore apart Kentucky and other states
Dozens are feared to be dead after tornadoes and severe storms devastated homes, a factory, a nursing home, and entire cities in several states including Kentucky, Illinois, Tennessee, and Arkansas.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said he anticipated more than 70 deaths in what he called the deadliest tornado event in the state’s history in a path of destruction through western Kentucky. He said the tornado landed 227 miles, most of it in his state.
“My heart aches for these people right now, including the rescuers,” said Biden.
‘Totally Devastated’:A small Kentucky town that’s in ruins after a historic tornado
The White House said Biden spoke to Beshear and the governors of Arkansas, Illinois, Tennessee and Missouri on Saturday and asked each one what resources they needed. Biden also issued a state of emergency for Kentucky that would expedite the availability of federal funding for the bluegrass state.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has dispatched rescue workers to the affected states to assess damage and support search and rescue operations.
Biden said he also directed FEMA to offer additional federal resources, including temporary housing in cases where homes have been destroyed or too badly damaged to live in.
“Jill and I pray, and I mean it sincerely, for those who have lost loved ones and for those who are unsure of the fate of their loved ones,” said Biden. “It’s a tragedy.”
Michael Collins covers the White House. Follow him on Twitter @mcollinsNEWS.
Contributors: Nada Hassanein, John T. Martin, and Joe Sonka
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