New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he was surprised by the level of devastation from Hurricane Irma in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He was there for a one-day visit.
The Democratic governor told The Associated Press when he returned home that New York stands ready to do whatever it can to assist in recovery efforts.
He says he saw wrecked buildings and utility poles snapped "like twigs."
The state is sending 100 National Guard military police and 30 State Police to assist local authorities. New York has already deployed aircraft and personnel to help with search and rescue.
Cuomo was invited to survey the damage by U.S. Virgin Islands Gov. Kenneth Mapp, a native New Yorker.
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