President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the federal government's response to Hurricane Helene and preparations for Hurricane Milton in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Oct. 8, 2024, as Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm looks on.
Biden postpones trip to Germany and Angola because of Hurricane Milton
Washington — President Joe Biden is postponing a planned trip to Germany and Angola to remain at the White House to monitor Hurricane Milton, which is bearing down on Florida's Gulf Coast, the White House announced on Tuesday.
Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the change was necessary "given the projected trajectory and strength" of the storm.
It was not clear when the trip might be rescheduled. Biden had promised to go to Africa during his term in office, which ends in January.
Hurricane Milton weakened slightly Tuesday but remained a ferocious storm that could land a once-in-a-century direct hit on the populous Tampa Bay region with towering storm surges and turn debris from Helene's devastation 12 days ago into projectiles.
A sculpture of Poseidon stands in the ocean after the eye of Hurricane Milton passed off the coast of Progreso, Yucatan state, Mexico, Oct. 8, 2024.
This satellite image by NOAA shows the location of Hurricane Milton on Oct. 8, 2024. It is moving ENE at 9 mph in the Gulf of Mexico with the minimum sustained winds of about 150 mph.
Southwest Airlines employees cover the ticket counters with plastic wrap just before Tampa International Airport was closing due to the possible arrival of Hurricane Milton, Oct. 8, 2024, in Tampa, Florida.
A message board at the Tampa International Airport shows all American Airlines departing flight canceled, Oct. 8, 2024, in Tampa, Florida, due to the possible arrival of Hurricane Milton.
Heavy traffic begins to back up on Interstate 275 South as residents evacuate St. Petersburg, Florida, ahead of Hurricane Milton, Oct. 7, 2024.
Scott Pepperman (L), and his son Cobi move a trailer while preparing to evacuate from their home ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Milton in New Port Richey, Florida, Oct. 8, 2024.
A military convoy is seen ahead of Hurricane Milton's expected mid-week landfall in Sanford, Florida, Oct. 8, 2024.
A gas station runs out of fuel as residents evacuate before for Hurricane Milton's arrival in St. Petersburg, Florida, Oct. 7, 2024.
Susana Ortiz fills out sand bags on the beach at the Davis Islands Yacht Basin as she prepares for the arrival of Hurricane Milton, Oct. 8, 2024, in Tampa, Florida.
An LED signage truck with loudspeakers makes announcements informing residents of mandatory evacuations in preparation for Hurricane Milton, Oct. 8, 2024, in Port Richey, Florida.
Highway signage announces the impending arrival of Hurricane Milton and the evacuations zones, Oct. 8, 2024, in Port Richey, Florida.
Debris from homes flooded in Hurricane Helene sits curbside as Hurricane Milton approaches, Oct. 8, 2024, in Port Richey, Florida.
A store boards up but remains open in preparation for Hurricane Milton, Oct. 8, 2024, in New Port Richey, Florida.
A U.S. Air Force airman fills sandbags with family members ahead of Hurricane Milton at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, Oct. 7, 2024.
Employees move an African porcupine named Chompers to a pet carrier at Zoo Tampa ahead of Hurricane Milton's expected landfall in the middle of this week, Oct. 7, 2024 in Florida.
Shelves in a local grocery store have been cleared out of bottled water ahead of Hurricane Milton's expected mid-week landfall in Kissimmee, Florida, Oct. 7, 2024.
River Ridge High School staff members Ellie Papapanos, left, and Anne Donlon go over preparations as they ready the school for use as a shelter in preparation for Hurricane Milton, Oct. 7, 2024, in New Port Richey, Florida.
Residents board up a sea shell store ahead of Hurricane Milton’s expected landfall in the middle of this week in Treasure Island, Florida, Oct. 7, 2024.Photo Gallery: In photos: Florida braces for Hurricane Milton
Most of Florida's west coast was under a hurricane or tropical storm warning as the storm and its 145 mph (230 kph) winds spun just off Mexico's Yucatan peninsula, creeping toward the state. With the storm expected to remain fairly strong as it crosses Florida, parts of the eastern coast were put under hurricane warnings early Tuesday. Milton's center could come ashore Wednesday night in the Tampa Bay area, which has a population of more than 3.3 million people.