Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2021

December 15, 2021

Storm Damage and Recovery Efforts

Q. Can you tell us your impressions of what you've seen so far?

The President. What I've seen so far is a group of incredible people pulling together, helping each other. And they're hopeful. And we're going to stay until this gets finished and totally reconstructed.

A lot of people are going through a God-awful mess now. And right now they're just recovering from the shock of it all. But in a month, in 2 months, in 3 months, when things are going to get reallyâthey're going to get really worried because they're notâit's notâcan't all be done that quickly.

But we're not leaving. We're not going to leave. I promise you, the Federal Government is going to be involved until this gets rebuilt, this wholeânot just here, but particularly here, but also the other States as well.

You know, we've got $99 billion worth of damage just this yearâjust this yearâbecause of foul weather and climate change. And so we're going to get it done.

And I've been impressed how everybody is working together. I really mean it. It's just amazing. The stories I've heard are all personal stories, not stories about "I lost . . . ," "I did this." They're talking about other people and helping other people. It's just been amazing, andâbut not surprising.

NOTE: The President spoke at 12:25 p.m. Audio was not available for verification of the content of these remarks.

Categories: Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters :: Mayfield, KY. Locations: Mayfield, KY.

Subjects: Environment : Climate change; Kentucky : President's visit; Kentucky : Tornadoes, damage and recovery efforts.

DCPD Number: DCPD202101056.

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