Biden Urges Evacuation Ahead of Hurricane Milton

During a recent briefing on Hurricane Milton, President Biden urged residents in Florida to heed evacuation orders as the storm approaches within 24 hours. He acknowledged the emotional difficulty of leaving behind homes but emphasized that doing so could be a matter of life and death. Biden reiterated that his administration has taken immediate action, including an emergency declaration in Florida and the provision of critical support resources like food, water, power generators, and ambulances. He has maintained communication with state and local leaders, including Governor Ron DeSantis and various mayors, ensuring they have direct access to federal resources by giving them his personal contact information. During the briefing, Biden also condemned misinformation circulating regarding disaster relief efforts, particularly regarding claims made by former President Trump and Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. The President noted that such falsehoods not only undermine confidence in recovery efforts but can also endanger lives, as individuals may second guess the severity of the impending storm. VP Kamala Harris highlighted that over 1,000 federal personnel are being deployed to Florida, actively working to facilitate evacuations and assist those in need. She warned that Hurricane Milton is anticipated to be significantly more severe than previous storms, urging people to remain vigilant following the storm's impact. The administration remains focused on life-saving measures over the next 24 hours and called out any attempts to exploit affected individuals, such as price gouging and fraud, stating those responsible will face consequences. Local leaders are urged to communicate clearly with their communities, emphasizing the grave dangers posed by Hurricane Milton.