Hurricane Irma: Trump arrives in Florida to see damage
Image copyright Reuters Image caption Mike Pence, Donald Trump and Melania Trump in Fort Myers
US President Donald Trump has arrived in Florida to meet people affected by Hurricane Irma and thank the emergency services.
Mr Trump is being briefed in Fort Myers with his wife Melania and Vice-President Mike Pence, before they head to Naples to meet residents.
More than four million homes and businesses are still without power in Florida and neighbouring states.
Hurricane Irma was one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record.
Having left a trail of destruction in the Caribbean, it hit the Florida Keys at the weekend and made its way up the Gulf Coast before dissipating.
The hurricane has killed more than 55 people in total. After arriving in Fort Myers, Mr Trump said: “When you think of the incredible power of that storm, and while people unfortunately passed, it was such a small number.
“People thought thousands and thousands of people may have their lives ended and the number is a very small number, which is a great tribute to you.”
Mr Trump also complimented Florida Governor Rick Scott’s response to the crisis, and said he should run for the US senate.
Media playback is unsupported on your device Media captionThe Florida Keys was one of the US areas hit hardest by Irma
It was reported that a quarter of homes in the Florida Keys – a series of low-lying islands – were destroyed in the hurricane.
Across the state, the cost of repairs is expected to run to tens of billions of dollars.
On Twitter, Mr Trump said that first responders had been “great” but he warned there was “much work to do”.
Image Copyright @realDonaldTrump @realDonaldTrump Report Image Copyright @realDonaldTrump @realDonaldTrump Report
In the city of Hollywood, north of Miami, police are investigating the deaths of eight nursing home residents.
The home was left without power after Hurricane Irma arrived.
Image copyright AFP Image caption People in Key West, Florida, wait for emergency donations
