Obama visits FEMA, says Hurricane Sandy resources "are in place"

Ahead of Hurricane Sandy's impending landfall, President Obama visited the Federal Emergency Management Agency's headquarters in Washington, D.C., for a briefing on the latest storm preparations.

"[M]y first message is to all the people across the Eastern seaboard..., you need to take this very seriously and follow the instructions of your state and local officials," Mr. Obama said after meeting with FEMA Director Craig Fugate. The president also held a conference call with governors and mayors whose states and cities are likely to be impacted by the storm.

Officials "don't yet know where it's going to hit," the president said, stressing, "This is a serious and big storm."

The president said resources "are in place" to respond to Sandy and that local, state and federal governments are prepared to "respond big and respond fast."

The storm, which is currently moving north over the Atlantic Ocean, is expected to veer west and hit the east coast and collide with two other storm fronts sometime early Tuesday.

• Campaigns shift resources for Hurricane Sandy
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FEMA Director Fugate recommended that people visit the website www.ready.gov for information and preparation advice. He also advised people to "check with your neighbors."

With nine days left until Election Day, Sandy is causing disruptions to the presidential campaigns' schedules. Mr. Obama has cancelled a campaign event in Virginia Monday evening and one in Colorado Tuesday morning, and  Mitt Romney has also changed his campaign schedule. He is spending more time in Ohio instead of holding campaign events in Virginia today.

[rhussey6]

This is way more than Obama did for our Ambassador and 3 other Americans killed at our consulate in Benghazi that had been denied by the Obama administration the security they asked for before they were attacked by terrorists. They asked 4 times for more security as they feared a terrorist attack and were denied 4 times. While the Obama administration watched a video feed of the attack from an overhead drone, thy also could have sent the CIA operatives nearby to help them while under attack and also could have had jet sent from a nearby base, and all were told to stand down (not to do anything). So, that being said, I'm sure the Obama administration is right on this tropical storm now, they need the points....

[potterfan25]

You do realize that this not the first time that US embassy was attack right?

[lizlew]

seriously? you are so controlled by the right wing media. N

[memememe38]

Romney has NO control over the LDS church's response time to disasters. He wasn't around when Katrina hit and they were some of the first on the scene. The LDS church puts FEMA to shame. They don't have to wait for the Feds to issues relief and all the redtape it entails. Time after time the LDS church has it's resources to help out with any disaster and not just for their members. The LDS church helps everyone and anyone in need. They help overseas as well since their membership extends to every continent. It is a well oiled machine and in time of disaster I am happy to say my family is well prepared with food storage and supplies as we have been taught. I would encourage people not to judge until you have ALL the facts. When the world falls apart you will see who is prepared and thrives, and when you come crawling and begging to be helped you will be. But you will not TAKE what is not yours, we have guns too ya know.

[ManOfSteel-Velvet]

ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORT: Sunday Oct 28, 2012 - During a rally in Findlay, Ohio, Republican Presidential Nominee Mitt Romney accused President Obama for failing to protect Americans along U.S. Atlantic from fast approaching super storm and the people in Hawaii from the Tsunami triggered by a 7.7-magnitude earthquake in western Canada. Mr. Romney declared he is 'The One' who can stop these natural disasters.

Mr. Romney told Ohioans: "Four years ago, candidate Obama talked of big ideas for big problems. Today he has none. If I were you president, I would order U.S. Air force to drop 7 nuclear bombs in the eye of the super storm and 10 nuclear bombs in front of the approaching tsunami.

The enormous blast of those nuclear bombs will dissipate the super storm and will create another tsunami with waves of opposite phase with waves of the tsunami originated from Canada. The waves from these two tsunamis will interfere destructively and cancel each other out.

And as your strong leader, I will hold God accountable for causing the super storm and the tsunami and I will sue Canada for it's complicity with God on the Tsunami."

[nearl451]

You should write for The Onion.

Idon't believe a word of it....but find it entertaining.

[beakeeper]

In a related story, Mitt the wannabe Obama will call FEMA twelve hours after the storm is over and bark out some presidential sounding commands. Then tell people how he "kept Obama honest" because he is just so darn tootin' honest himself.

[bluejacket2-2009]

Didn't Romney say he was going to end FEMA because it was a waste of tax payer money and that states should have the right to do their own disaster planning and rebuilding?

He will probably be stumping to cut spending on disasters by Tuesday, and then he will say to thousands of cheering tea bags that Obama caused this Hurricane to score votes...

[logictoo]

Some believe that the States can better handle some things more efficiently including myself. Federal Funds would be allocated to the States and if more needed in disaster situations it would be available. I am among many who favor States rights.

[nearl451]

Well Logic...you and Romney are both wrong. States have had to cut much more because of the recession and need the Federal Govt to help out.

In this case there are potentially 15-20 States affected by the storm. This business of the State takes care of it's own cannot stand when balanced budget laws and aversion to any rainy day taxing exists there too.

States rights are fine for some things. For true emergencies that cover more than a State or two, that allocation model breaks down.

[logictoo]

Don't know what Romney would or would not say. Either way he would be accused of politicizing the event. When he says something he is politicizing the event and if quiet he doesn't care. Obama's photo top of politics page. Story is on US page but the big picture of Obama not shown as top billing. Politicizing by the media?

[nearl451]

That's a pretty silly assessment.

The President has a job and repsonsibility relative to this storm. Romney does not.

Most of the country understands this quite plainly.

[CBSDebbie]

So how would Romney handle this? He already said he wants to cut those government jobs. The people that will lose everything may very well need a safety net. Romney wants to cut that. I'm sure private industry CEO's will be right there to help you with flooding. I'm sure Romney is mobiling the LDS church right now to come to the east coast and help out. And if you lose everything the LDS church will be there for funding too! He does say that private business can do everything better and charity should step in so...like a good neighbor your in good hands with Bain and the LDS church.