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Obama meets with advisers for update on Irene

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U.S. President Barack Obama speaks about Hurricane Irene during a visit to the National Response Coordination Center at FEMA Headquarters in Washington August 27, 2011. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks about Hurricane Irene during a visit to the National Response Coordination Center at FEMA Headquarters in Washington August 27, 2011.

Credit: Reuters/Kevin Lamarque

WASHINGTON | Sun Aug 28, 2011 12:43pm EDT

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama held a video conference on Sunday with key officials involved in the response to Hurricane Irene as the storm pounded New York City with winds and heavy rain.

"The president was updated on the response and recovery efforts that are currently under way in coordination with state and local officials as well as the status of critical energy and transportation infrastructure," the White House said in a statement.

Among the officials participating in the conference call were White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Craig Fugate, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

In the call in the White House Situation Room, Obama asked Napolitano and Fugate to keep in close contact with state and local officials about their response needs.

The White House said Obama planned to reconvene the team on Sunday evening.

(Writing by Caren Bohan; Editing by Bill Trott and Eric Beech)
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Comments (2)
GAPETERSON1958 wrote:
This was barely a “hurricane” when it made landfall in NC yesterday I would think a “news” service would be aware of that but I am sure the term “tropical storm” story doesn’t get near as many hits as a “hurricane” story either way it’s a little wind and a solid day worth of moderate rainfall, really what is El Presidente’ keeping an eye on?

Aug 28, 2011 7:42am EDT  --  Report as abuse
MAGGIE03 wrote:
He’s doing what the President is supposed to do- keep track of what’s going on. Unlike George Bush during Katrina, Pres. Obama appears to be on top of this. And I don’t think the 13 people killed by this “storm” would agree that’s it’s just a little wind. This is how Presidents are
supposed to act. Take note.

Aug 28, 2011 5:13pm EDT  --  Report as abuse
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