Washington [US], December 14 (ANI/Sputnik): US President Joe Biden has declared a state of emergency in the states of Illinois and Tennessee after severe tornadoes and storms swept through the areas and ordered federal assistance to the local population. “Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that an emergency exists in the State of Illinois and ordered Federal assistance to supplement State and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes on December 10, 2021,” the White House said in a statement. A similar order was issued concerning the US state of Tennessee.
According to the official statements, the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will coordinate all disaster relief efforts to help residents. “FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding,” the statement said.
Late on Friday and Saturday, a series of tornadoes and hurricanes swept through the central and southern parts of the United States, leaving behind a trail of destruction and casualties. The disaster hit several US states, including Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee. On Saturday, Biden approved Kentucky Emergency Declaration and ordered federal assistance to the state, where tornadoes killed at least 74 people. (ANI/Sputnik)
Biden briefed on powerful tornadoes in US that left 74 dead, to visit Kentucky on Wednesday
Washington [US], December 14 (ANI): US President Joe Biden on Monday (local time) was briefed by top officials on the federal response to the tornadoes and storms that impacted multiple American states this weekend. The President on Wednesday will visit Kentucky where the most casualties were reported.
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell, and Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall informed Biden on the federal response to the tornadoes.
“Today, @POTUS received a briefing from Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, and Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall on the Federal response to the tornadoes and storms that impacted multiple states this weekend,” tweeted White House.
At least 100 people are feared dead following a weekend tornado outbreak across eight states. The Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said at least 74 are known dead in his state, reported CNN.
There were at least 50 tornado reports from late Friday into Saturday in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio and Tennessee, according to the Storm Prediction Center.
President Biden is scheduled to visit areas impacted by tornadoes in Kentucky on Wednesday but told reporters that his intention is to not be in the way. “I haven’t decided where I’m going yet. What I indicated to the governor when we talked about this two days ago was that I don’t want to be in the way,” Biden said during an update from the White House.
“There’s a lot going on, and when the President shows up there’s a long tail to follow of a lot of folks, and I just don’t want to do anything other than be value-added. But I want you to know that this administration has made clear to every governor, whatever they need when they need it… make it known to me, and they will get it to them as rapidly, as rapidly as we can,” he said. (ANI)
