*Administration of Barack Obama, 2012 *

**Remarks on Tropical Storm Isaac **

*August 28, 2012 *

Good morning, everybody. This morning I want to say a few words about tropical storm Isaac and the steps that we're taking to keep people safe and minimize the damage.

I just got an update from Secretary Napolitano, Administrator Fugate, the head of FEMA, and Dr. Rick Knabb, the Director of the National Hurricane Center, on preparations that are underway in the Gulf. This storm isn't scheduled to make landfall until later today, but at my direction, FEMA has been on the ground for over a week working with State and local officials in areas that could be affected, from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to Florida and, more recently, Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi.

Yesterday I approved a disaster declaration for the State of Louisiana so they can get the help that they need right away, particularly around some of the evacuations that are taking place. And right now we already have response teams and supplies ready to help communities in the expected path of the storm.

As we prepare for Isaac to hit, I want to encourage all residents of the Gulf Coast to listen to your local officials and follow their directions, including if they tell you to evacuate. We're dealing with a big storm, and there could be significant flooding and other damage across a large area. Now is not the time to tempt fate. Now is not the time to dismiss official warnings. You need to take this seriously.

And finally, I want to thank everyone who has been working around the clock to get ready for Isaac. The hardest work, of course, is still ahead. And as President, I'll continue to make sure that the Federal Government is doing everything possible to help the American people prepare for and recover from this dangerous storm. And as we get additional updates from the Hurricane Center as well as from FEMA in terms of activities on the ground, we'll be providing continuous updates both at the local and the national level.

Thank you.

NOTE: The President spoke at 10:10 a.m. in the Diplomatic Room at the White House.

*Categories:* Addresses and remarks : Tropical Storm Isaac*.*

*Locations: *Washington, DC.

*Names:* Fugate, Craig W.; Knabb, Richard; Napolitano, Janet A.

*Subjects:* Commerce, Department of : Hurricane Center, National; Commerce, Department of : Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National; Disaster assistance : Louisiana; Homeland Security, Department of : Emergency Management Agency, Federal; Homeland Security, Department of : Secretary; Louisiana : Disaster assistance; Natural disasters : Hurricane Isaac.

*DCPD Number:* DCPD201200669.