President Trump has already approved an Emergency Declaration. From OAN News:
White House Approves Puerto Rico Emergency Declaration Ahead Of Tropical Storm Dorian
President Trump has signed off on an emergency declaration for Puerto Rico ahead of Tropical Storm Dorian making landfall in the island territory. The White House released a statement Tuesday evening, saying the president has approved federal assistance to help with emergency response efforts.
From President Trump's twitter feed:
We are tracking closely tropical storm Dorian as it heads, as usual, to Puerto Rico. FEMA and all others are ready, and will do a great job. When they do, let them know it, and give them a big Thank You - Not like last time. That includes from the incompetent Mayor of San Juan!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 28, 2019
Back to the OAN News report:
This comes as the tropical storm is forecast to turn into a Category One hurricane as it makes its way toward the Caribbean. Heavy rain could reportedly cause life-threatening floods in its path. The storm is expected to make landfall in Puerto Rico Wednesday afternoon.
Forecasters warned Dorian is expected to be very close to the strength of a hurricane as it approaches Florida later this week.
The good news is that it will only be a Cat 1 storm, unlike previous hurricanes. The Emergency Declaration is already in place unlike Katrina which made landfall as a Cat 3 hurricane in 2005. New Orleans mayor Nagin "froze" and did not ask President Bush for the Emergency Declaration until three days after landfall.
The good news is that this changed the way we handle disasters like this and now, the president does not have to be asked before troops and supplies can be sent in from out of state. This was a Constitutional states rights issue - do not want the Federal government to send troops into a state on the pretext of aid.
FEMA is a lot better too - great training for civilians.
This is turning out to be a very weak hurricane season - cooling climate does that.
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