Obama on Irene: 'This Is Not Over'

In statement, president warns that impact will continue
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Aug 28, 2011 4:29 PM CDT
President Obama's Tropical Storm Irene Statement: 'This Is Not Over'
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, left, listens as President Barack Obama speaks about Hurricane Irene in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2011.   (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Despite Tropical Storm Irene's weakened punch, President Obama urged those in its path to stay vigilant and warned that the storm's impact would continue to be felt for some time. "This is not over," Obama said today in a statement from the Rose Garden. "The impacts of this storm will be felt for some time. And the recovery effort will last for weeks or longer," said Obama, flanked by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate.

With Irene having carved its way along the East Coast throughout the weekend, the president said emergency officials were most concerned about lengthy power outages and flooding as swollen rivers begin to crest. He urged the public to heed the warnings of local officials in the coming days, and said his administration would continue working with local officials to ensure they were prepared to respond. (More Hurricane Irene stories.)

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