WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump on Tuesday (Sep 12) said the federal government would spare no expense in responding to the likely damage from Hurricane Florence, which is forecast to slam the Carolina coast later this week. The Category 4 hurricane with 130 mph (215 kph) winds was barreling toward the coasts of North and South Carolina and has been forecast to hit land as an extremely large, powerful and dangerous storm. Some Virginians who have been ordered to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Florence may have to wait a few days before they can get into a free shelter. So far, state officials’ tiered system only requires residents of the most flood-prone areas, known as “Zone A,” to leave their homes. On Monday, both candidates suspended their campaigns as the state gets ready for the storm. | Win McNamee/Getty Images Trump claims his Hurricane Maria response was an 'incredible unsung success' The president has long complained he hasn't gotten the credit he deserves for the response to the storm, which killed nearly 3,000 people in Puerto Rico. Hurricane Florence, a powerful Category 4 storm, threatens to hit North and South Carolina, as well as a large part of the southeastern US coast, though the storm is expected to slightly weaken by Thursday, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Wednesday.
The Donald Trump campaign cancels a rally for Missouri ahead of Hurricane Florence, which is expected to make landfall on the East Coast.