Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2021

August 29, 2021

The President. Thank you. Well, folks, you've got your hands full, but you've done an incredible job so far in prepping for this.

You know, Jill and I are just getting back from Dover Air Force Base, up in my home State, where we met with the families of 13 fallen heroes in Afghanistan who lost their lives in the service of our country. And while we're praying for the best in Louisiana, let's keep them in our prayers as well.

I've just been briefed by the FEMA leadershipâand we have real leadershipâon Hurricane Ida and the preparations for rescue and response. And the storm has madeâas you know better than anyone, but I'm speaking to the public at large hereâthe storm made landfall a few hours ago, and it continues to rage and ravage everything it comes in contact with.

And the storm is a life-threatening storm. Governor Edwards, an old friend, has characterized it as one of the strongest hurricanesâthe strongest in Louisiana history since 1850. And its devastation is likely to be immense. We shouldn't kid ourselves.

And so the most important thing I can say right now is that everyone should listen to the instructions from local and State officials just how dangerous this is and take it seriously. It's not just the coast. It's not just New Orleans. It's north as well. The rainfall is expected to be exceedingly high.

And to the people of the Gulf Coast: I want you to know that we're praying for the best and planningâprepared for the worst. As soon as the storm passes, we're going to put thisâwe're going to put the country's full might behind the rescue and recovery. And I mean that.

I've been around for a lot of hurricanes. And I'm no expert, but I've been around for a lot of hurricanes, and I don't think we've ever had as much preparation: long-term preparation with the levee system and preparation here.

Thanks to the Administrator's leadership and the hard work of the FEMA teamâall of whom are gathered behind meâmany of whom are gathered behind meâwe've already prepositioned resources that we know are going to be needed and equipment and response teams in the region.

This includes 2.5 million meals and 3 million liters of water. We've got generators in place, and we're in close touch with the power providers to get and restore power as soon as possible because a lot of itâa lot of it's going to go out. And we should be prepared that it can take a long time, no matter how much we've prepositionedâwhich we haveâthat it's going to take a long time for a lot of it to get back up. It could take a matter of weeks for some places.

We've got 13 Urban Search and Rescue teamsâfor those of you who aren't familiar with that, they'reâthese teams make up about 70 people and expertsâeach of these teamsâand they can do real, serious recovery work.

More than 100 ambulances and emergency medical teams have been activated. And we're working with the Red Cross and local partners to open dozens and dozens of shelters with cots and blankets and meals to support those we need to evacuate. That will happen mostly in the northern part of the State and maybe in parts of Mississippi.

And I've already signed an emergency declaration for both Louisiana as well as Mississippi. And I want to make sure that we're ready to surge all the response capacityâcapability that we have to deal with whatever comes next. And a lot's going to be coming.

I've been in touch with the Governors of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. And my team at the White House has been in touch with other State, local, and Federal officials in the region. And they knowâthey knowâthere will be the full resources and support of the Federal Government.

So I want to emphasize again: This is going to be a devastatingâa devastatingâhurricane, a life-threatening storm. So, please, all you folks in Mississippi andâin Louisiana, Mississippi, and, God knows, maybe even further east, take precautions. Listen. Take it seriouslyâreally, very seriously.

And you know, the whole-of-Government effort is ready to get to work. I can't think of any time where the Federal, State, and local folks have worked together more closely and in advance of an obvious significant natural disaster. And folks, we're going to be here. We're going to be here to help the Gulf region get back on its feet as quickly as possible, as long as it takesâas long as it takes.

So thank you, and may God protect those in the path of the storm. And God willing, we'll get through this sooner than later.

But don't kid yourself; this is going to take a lot of resources, a little bit of luck, and as my grandfather would say, "The grace of God and the good will of the neighbors." And by the way, look out for your neighbors. If you're in the region, look out for your neighbors.

So thank you very much, and thank you, Commissioner. And I really think it all works. I'm not supposed to take any questions, but go ahead.

Q. Mr. President, on Afghanistanââ

The President. I'm not going to answer Afghanistan now.

Q. Can you say if there's still an acuteââ

The President. Okay.

Q. âârisk at the airport, sir?

[*At this point, the President addressed Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staff.*]

The President. Thank you. Really and truly, thank you, thank you, thank you. I know there's no group of Americans who know how dangerous it is more than you guys do. So let's stay at it to the very end. I know you will.

You've done everything you can to help prepare these folks. But I tell you what, it'sâI think we're going to be takeâthey're going to be taking a look at additional levee systems a little further south before this is over. So thank you, thank you, thank you.

And I promise you, the Governor is truly, truly, truly appreciative. You're probably never going to meet him, but he's a good guy. He's really appreciative. Thank you.

NOTE: The President spoke at 3:22 p.m. at the FEMA headquarters. In his remarks, he referred to FEMA Administrator Deanne Bennett Criswell, who introduced the President; Gov. Kay E. Ivey of Alabama; and Gov. Tate Reeves of Mississippi.

Categories: Addresses and Remarks : Hurricane Ida preparedness efforts, briefing at Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Locations: Washington, DC.

Names: Biden, Jill T.; Criswell, Deanne Bennett; Edwards, John Bel; Ivey, Kay E.; Reeves, Tate. Subjects: Afghanistan : U.S. military forces :: Casualties; Alabama : Governor; Armed Forces,

U.S. : Military families; Disaster assistance : Louisiana; Disaster assistance : Mississippi;

Homeland Security, Department of : Emergency Management Agency, Federal; Louisiana : Disaster assistance; Louisiana : Governor; Mississippi : Disaster assistance; Mississippi : Governor; Natural disasters : Hurricane Ida; Natural disasters : Preparedness efforts; Natural disasters : Response and recovery efforts.

DCPD Number: DCPD202100689.