The White House announced that President Biden will visit Hurricane Milton-affected areas in Florida on Sunday.
The news comes after Biden released an initial estimate that damage from Hurricane Milton could total $50 billion.
“And, as you know, this is the third major storm to hit California. So, Florida, this is the third major storm in three months.” Biden told reporters. on friday. “And experts estimate that Hurricane Milton alone caused about $50 billion in damage, although early estimates may be more or less. . 50 billion dollars alone.”
The White House did not say which areas Biden would visit on Sunday.
“I want everyone in the affected areas to know that we will do everything in our power to help you pick up the pieces and get back to where you were,” the president said.
Top Republican demands answered: 'legitimate concerns' as billions in FEMA relief still hits coronavirus infections
President Biden is scheduled to visit Florida on Sunday to assess the impact of Hurricane Milton. (Shaun Hsu/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Biden told reporters he would like to meet Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis during his visit if possible.
“I've talked to him, if he's available, yes. He's been very cooperative. We didn't do anything, but we… “But we did very, very well.”
President Biden speaks about the early effects of Hurricane Milton on Thursday at the South Court Auditorium of the White House in Washington, D.C. (Shaun Hsu/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Milton carved a path of destruction across Florida after making landfall Wednesday night as a Category 3 storm with winds of 190 mph, impacting residents with powerful winds and storm surge.
Biden calls Hurricane Deputy Prime Minister “President'', causing Hurricane press conference to be interrupted twice
Biden said power line workers had restored power to 1 million people by Friday, after the hurricane left more than 3 million people without power.
“Listen, this is a team effort. I know it sounds corny, but it's really a team effort and it's an effort from everyone here in the game,” he said. “We're taking this issue very seriously, and we're working together. And it's made a huge difference. I think we've saved lives. It's not me, it's us, Everyone at the scene saved lives.” ”
Hurricane Milton damage is seen in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida on Thursday. (Mike Glynn)
Biden's visit to Florida will be the second time in 10 days that the president has touched down in the storm-ravaged state.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
He visited Florida on October 3, after Hurricane Helen, to assess the damage in the state's Big Bend area. Prior to his visit to Florida, Mr. Biden surveyed the damage situation in the Carolinas.
Please help those affected by Hurricanes Helen and Milton. Your donation allows the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to, and help people recover from these disasters. go to redcross.org/foxforward
