© 2024 KGOU
News and Music for Oklahoma
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Obama Addresses Oklahoma, Texas Storms During Annual Hurricane Briefing

The White House
/
Youtube

President Obama says the deadly flooding in Oklahoma and Texas is a reminder that it's never too early to prepare for natural disasters. But he says the nation is better prepared than ever for today's storms.

“Not only do we have better information, but we have new mechanisms to disseminate it,” Obama said after receiving his annual hurricane briefing during his first visit to NOAA’s National Hurricane Center in Miami. “We’re also focusing on making ourselves more resilient to the impacts of a changing climate.”

This week's storms and floods in Texas and Oklahoma left two dozen people dead and 14 others missing. Obama says a lot of rebuilding will be needed in the two states.

“There’s still going to be some weather events over the next several days that will potentially make things a little tougher for folks,” Obama said. “But I’m confident, obviously, that these communities will ultimately get back on their feet.”

He says the federal government will work to ensure the federal response is "quick" and cuts through bureaucracy.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

KGOU is a community-supported news organization and relies on contributions from readers and listeners to fulfill its mission of public service to Oklahoma and beyond. Donate online, or by contacting our Membership department.

Brian Hardzinski is from Flower Mound, Texas and a graduate of the University of Oklahoma. He began his career at KGOU as a student intern, joining KGOU full time in 2009 as Operations and Public Service Announcement Director. He began regularly hosting Morning Edition in 2014, and became the station's first Digital News Editor in 2015-16. Brian’s work at KGOU has been honored by Public Radio News Directors Incorporated (PRNDI), the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters, the Oklahoma Associated Press Broadcasters, and local and regional chapters of the Society of Professional Journalists. Brian enjoys competing in triathlons, distance running, playing tennis, and entertaining his rambunctious Boston Terrier, Bucky.
More News
Support nonprofit, public service journalism you trust. Give now.