Biden: ‘This is likely to be one of the largest tornado outbreaks in our history’
President Biden spoke Saturday to the governors of Illinois, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee, the White House said, offering “condolences for the lives lost and the damage impacting their states as a result of the tornadoes and extreme weather overnight.”
Per the White House, Biden “asked the governors to call him directly if there is any federal support they need and said he will remain focused on doing everything he can to help communities recover from the effects of this historic storm.”
Joining Biden on Saturday’s call were FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall, Deputy Chief of Staff Jen O’Malley Dillon and White House Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Julie Chavez Rodriguez.
Earlier Saturday, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson told CNN the President spoke to the governors of the affected states.
“We, the five governors that have been impacted by the tornado, just got off the phone with the President of the United States, and President Biden assured us of support, but also expressed support for what we’re going through during this time, and wanted us to pass that along to our citizens,” Hutchinson told CNN.
Missouri, Tennessee, Illinois, Kentucky and Arkansas have all reported fatalities from the overnight storm.
Biden also spoke with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear earlier Saturday “to express his condolences for the lives lost and the devastation that Kentucky experienced.”
The President is expected to address the tornadoes in remarks later Saturday afternoon.
