Biden urges people to "take every precaution" to keep safe in the wake of Helene

 President Joe Biden is urging those affected by Tropical Storm Helene to “take every precaution to keep themselves and their families safe” in the wake of the storm, he said in a post on social media.

“Last night, Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 storm. I’ve approved emergency requests in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, and South Carolina, and deployed 1,500 response personnel – my Administration stands ready to provide more support as needed,” Biden wrote on social media.

“As we mourn the lives of those who were taken by this storm, I urge folks to heed the direction of local officials and take every precaution to keep themselves and their families safe,” he said.

The president was briefed Friday morning on the initial impacts of Helene, the White House said in a statement.

Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, will travel to Florida to “survey the damage and meet with state and local officials,” the White House added.