The impending threat of Hurricane Milton to the southern United States has caused President Joe Biden to request the cancellation of a White House event, set to be held on Wednesday in the Rose Garden. This event was in celebration of the 100-year mark of diplomatic ties between the US and Ireland.
By Monday evening, the nearing Hurricane Milton had become the focus of the nation, due to its predicted fierce intensity. With wind speeds peaking at 180 miles per hour, it was branded as a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ event, dwarfing the Category three Hurricane Katrina of 2005 that left much of New Orleans in ruins.
Projections pointed towards the hurricane only gaining strength before it approached land. Preparations for large-scale evictions in Tampa Bay had already begun, as the densely populated central west coast of Florida was predicted to be in the direct line of Milton’s force.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene that claimed 213 lives and destroyed towns in western North Carolina late in September, is anticipated to be stretched further due to the broad-scale devastation.
While Washington DC isn’t in the path of Hurricane Milton, it was deemed inappropriate to proceed with the festivities amidst such a looming disaster.
A spokesperson confirmed on Monday evening that President Biden had spoken to Taoiseach Simon Harris. The decision to go ahead with the planned Oval Office meeting on Wednesday was reached, but the Rose Garden event has been moved to a later date at the president’s request, due to the grave situation posed by Hurricane Milton. Despite this change, the remainder of the Taoiseach’s Washington schedule would proceed as planned.
Taoiseach Harris is set to leave for Washington after his Tuesday morning Dáil attendance. The Rose Garden ceremony which is now postponed, was the expected highlight of Harris’ two-day trip with 300 guests having been notified about its cancellation on Monday night. The occasion was also regarded as a moment to ponder on President Biden’s profound appreciation for Ireland during the closing stage of his presidency.
However, the diplomatic event’s timing has been overshadowed by both the deteriorating Middle East crisis and ongoing criticism of the president by the Republican campaign.
The American government’s approach to delivering aid to those impacted by Hurricane Helene is now a topic of fierce dispute in the political arena leading up to the election. Claims from Trump’s camp maintain that the federal handling of the crisis has left much to be desired, a view that is not shared by Republican officials from the storm-ravaged areas of North Carolina.
Furthermore, Trump has perpetuated the untruth that the Biden administration has reallocated disaster response funding to migrant issues. This claim prompted a cautionary statement from White House spokesperson, Andrew Bates, in a memo. Bates emphasised the necessity for all political leaders, regardless of their ideologies, to desist from perpetuating such harmful narratives. He stressed that this situation was not about politics but essentially about rendering assistance to those in need.
In other news, Mr Harris is set to make his return to Ireland on Thursday. The postponed gathering’s revised date is yet to be announced.