Trump hails Hurricane Harvey rescue efforts during Texas visit
President Donald Trump has hailed the relief response to Hurricane Harvey during his visit to the flood-hit state of Texas. The hurricane, which made landfall last week, caused devastating floods killing at least 47 people and forcing 43,000 others to live in emergency shelters. The president and First-Lady Melania Trump's visit to Texas earlier this week was criticized as they didn't meet flood victims.
"Things are working out well," Trump said while he and his wife Melania met hurricane victims and volunteers in Texas. "I think people appreciate what's been done. It's been done very efficiently," he said. "As tough as this was, it's been a wonderful thing," he said. "I think even for the country to watch and for the world to watch."
TEXAS: We are with you today, we are with you tomorrow, and we will be with you EVERY SINGLE DAY AFTER, to restore, recover, and REBUILD! pic.twitter.com/p1Fh8jmmFA
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 2, 2017
During their previous visit to Texas, Trump and Melania did not go to the main disaster zone, saying it would divert resources from rescue efforts. He was criticized for not meeting flood victims and instead focusing primarily on the logistics of rescue efforts. During their latest visit, both Trump and Melania met flood survivors and distributed food at a shelter in Houston.
Trump has declared Sunday a "National Day of Prayer" for Hurricane Harvey victims. Trump has requested Congress to release initial funds worth $7.8 billion to aid recovery efforts in Hurricane Harvey-hit states of Texas and Louisiana. Further aid funding requests will be made once the hurricane's full impact is known. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said the state may need over $125 billion in aid.
Flood waters are receding in Houston, Texas, America's fourth-largest city, which witnessed "unprecedented" rains from Hurricane Harvey. Houston experienced "catastrophic" flooding, which left most parts of the city inundated. An estimated 30,000-40,000 homes were destroyed in the Harris County area alone, where Houston lies. Abbott said Houston's recovery would be a "multi-year project" and "a massive, massive clean-up process."
