Hurricane Florence: US President Donald Trump lauds emergency responders

United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday lauded the rescue agencies for doing a "great job" in carrying out relief operations for the stranded people affected in the Hurricane Florence.

In a video message on Twitter, Trump called Florence a "tough hurricane" and said it is "certainly not good."

"I thank all incredible men and women who have done a great job. This is a tough hurricane, one of the wettest we've ever seen, from the standpoint of water. Really have we had an experience like it. And is certainly not good," the US president said outside the White House.
Praising Federal Emergency Management Administration, the US military, Coast Guard and law enforcement agencies, Trump said, "What you've done in saving so many lives has been really something special. I want to thank all for doing such a great job with a very difficult situation."

Trump further heaped praises on the people of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia for standing tall in tough times. He said, "The people of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, you've been incredible. There's been a loss of lives. May God be with them and their families."

Calling Florence as a `big and nasty one`, Trump urged the people in the affected areas to "listen to state and local authorities" and be "patient and alert."

Hurricane Florence continued to wreak havoc in the US as the death toll in the calamity rose to 35, officials told on Tuesday. Trump is slated to visit North Carolina on Wednesday to assess the damage in the affected areas.

The storm, which slammed the US East Coast last week, has left over 500,000 homes in darkness as rescue efforts are ongoing to provide aid to the stranded people. It has left a trail of destruction in the twin Carolina states, flattening hundreds of trees and houses and torrential rains while also leading to the swelling of rivers, and triggering massive flooding.

(ANI)