President Donald Trump will visit areas in Florida destroyed by Hurricane Irma when his visit will not interfere with rescue efforts underway, White House counselor Kellyanne Conway said Monday.
"It's a very somber day, I think, with Hurricane Irma still on its path and all of remembering 9/11, of course," Conway told Fox News "Fox and Friends" program. "The president has been in constant contact with the local, federal, and state officials. I think you've seen an administration-wide coordination."
Trump is committed, she continued, to all those affected by both Hurricanes Irma and Harvey.
"As you know, he visited Texas twice and Louisiana, so he's committed to go to Florida," Conway said. "The president made it clear he will go to Florida and other affected areas if and when people on the ground say it's good. The governor saying it's good to go and that he's not interfering with the rescue efforts and the recovery efforts. So that's incredibly important."
Florida Gov. Rick Scott has been in constant contact with Trump and cabinet officials, Conway said, pointing out that there is an "administration-wide effort" to help people in times of need.
"I think with social media, we're seeing the ability to connect folks with opportunity and to meet their needs faster," Scott said. "And really, the forecasting and technological advances have saved lives, too."
The tough work will begin as the storm works its way out of Florida's counties, Conway said, and she urged people using generators as an alternate source of power to take care not to use them indoors and risk carbon monoxide poisoning.
"Those on the ground closest to people in need and also still in jeopardy should really listen to the local officials," Conway said. "Don't allow your curiosity and grief to get in the way of your safety."
Conway also noted that Trump was asked, as he and first lady Melania Trump returned from Camp David, about the costs for rebuilding after Irma, and he'd remarked that the talk now is not about money, but about lives.
"We're worried about people," Conway said. "There would be untold billions of dollars in property damage, and we don't know, we just can't look around the corner right now and know what that means. But the president made very clear that he and his administration and this Congress, and we hope that includes people from all political persuasions and across many different industries across this country that the nongovernment officials and private sector are stepping up also."
Volunteers and Americans' donations also are important, Conway said, "and we certainly encourage folks to continue to do that as they see fit, as they feel comfortable."