Homeland Security adviser Tom Bossert said Friday that FEMA has necessary funds to help victims of Hurricane Irma — following the Harvey devastation — and as Florida and the Carolinas prepare for a "nuclear hurricane" that is expected to slam the U.S. as early as Saturday.
"FEMA still has the money they need, so there's no break in operations," Bossert told reporters at the daily briefing. "Thank you to the House and Senate leadership for bringing everyone back in and passing that so quickly and responsibly.
"This is a real-time event," Bossert said, referring to the $7.9 billion aid bill for Harvey relief passed Wednesday by Congress. "The bill may be on its way.
"It requires signature by the speaker, the vice president, and then signature by the president of the United States, so I think that will happen today.
"But as soon as we get it, the president will take that seriously."
Bossert said that he was concerned about fuel shortages in Florida and "whatever worries the governor has at this point."
"I am extremely comfortable with the government efforts," he added. "I want to make sure that people understand they have a part to play here as well."
In Florida, Gov. Rick Scott said that state law-enforcement officials were escorting fuel trucks through traffic to individual stations and encouraged outlets in evacuation zones to stay open as late as possible.
More than 660,000 people have been ordered evacuated from Miami-Dade County in the southeastern part of the state alone.
"We know there are problems with fuel at our gas stations," Scott told reporters at a news conference. "State law enforcement are providing escorts to gas trucks to get them through traffic so they can get through the stations faster.
"These law-enforcement escorts have continued through the night and they'll keep going as long as they can.
"For gas stations in evacuation zones, we need you to stay open as long as you can, so people can get as much fuel and get out.
"We will arrange police escorts for your employees so they can get out safely.
"We need gas stations in evacuation zones to stay open as long as possible so we can get people out.
"We know fuel is important, and we are doing everything we can to get more.
"If you're in an evacuation zone in south Florida, you need to leave now," Scott said, adding that "gas will no longer be resupplied into much of southern Florida after the storm hits."
"This is a catastrophic storm that our state has never seen before," Scott said. "Remember, you can rebuild your house, you can get your possessions again. You can't rebuild your life and family.
"Protecting life is our absolute top priority," he added. "No resource or expense will be spared to protect life.
"Florida's tough. Florida's resilient. Florida's unbreakable."
Scott said that he ordered all schools, colleges and state offices closed through Monday, that 17,000 people have come forward to volunteer and that all 7,000 members of the National Guard in Florida have been activated.
"Floridians have to have access to every place they can for shelter," he said. "Shelters are available, and you should follow the directions from local officials to go to the shelter that fits your needs."
Regarding volunteers, Scott said that "I know we're going to need more."
"I want to thank everyone who's opened their hearts to help — and we can't thank you enough."
He said that National Guard troops were working hard to make sure "we all get to safety."
In Miami Beach, Mayor Philip Levine told residents that "this is a nuclear hurricane" and that people should leave the beach.
"They must leave the beach."
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