President Biden to visit Puerto Rico and Florida this week

Today, President Biden is heading to Puerto Rico on his first of two trips scheduled this week to hurricane-damaged communities. On Wednesday, he plans to visit Florida.

The island sustained extensive damage to its critical infrastructure from Hurricane Fiona. Puerto Rico had barely recovered from the devastating impact of Hurricane Maria in 2017.

While in Puerto Rico, Biden will announce more than $60 million in federal funding to shore up levees, strengthen flood walls and create a new flood warning system to help the island better prepare for storms. Hurricane Fiona hit Puerto Rico on Sept. 18, knocking out power across the U.S. territory.

Then, Biden will travel to Florida on Wednesday to survey the wreckage of Hurricane Ian. Many believe Ian was the largest natural disaster in the state's history

Speaking at an awards dinner Saturday night in Washington D.C., he said his administration will do whatever it takes to help. According to the president, that includes comprehensive federal assistance with search and rescue, recovery and rebuilding.