Trump on Hurricane Irma: 'This is some big monster'

During a speech in which he said he wants to go to Florida very soon and praised emergency officials for their efforts, US President Donald Trump told reporters at the White House that "the bad news is that this is some big monster." He also said damage from the storm would be very costly.

"Right now, we are worried about lives, not cost," Trump said after returning from Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland where he monitored the storm and met with his Cabinet.

Boats at a marina in Coconut Grove as Hurricane Irma arrives in Miami, Florida, US, September 10, 2017.

The path of the storm meant it might be less destructive than it would otherwise have been, due to it tracking the west coast of Florida, Trump said, noting the next five or six hours would be critical.

"I hope there aren't too many people in the path," he said. "You don't want to be in that path."

Trump said the US Coast Guard had been heroic and that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was doing a good job to help coordinate the response with states. He added, however: "I think the hard part is now beginning."

Trump has offered the full resources of the federal government to Florida and the affected states, US Vice President Mike Pence told reporters during a visit to FEMA's Washington headquarters on Sunday.

"Wherever Hurricane Irma goes, we'll be there first," Pence said. "We'll be there with resources and support, both to save lives and to help to recover and rebuild these states and these communities."

On Sunday, Trump also issued a disaster declaration for Puerto Rico, and expanded federal funds available to the US Virgin Islands in the aftermath of Irma, the White House said.

Trump owns a resort in Palm Beach, Florida, where he has often traveled during his presidency, as well as three golf courses in the state. He told reporters he hoped to travel to the state soon. "We're going to Florida very soon," Trump said.

(REUTERS)