AFP - US President Barack Obama (2ndR) listens as Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate (R) updates representatives from various US safety agencies, at FEMA headquarters. Obama warned Saturday the US east coast was in for a "long 72 hours" as he led his government's response to Hurricane Irene at a disaster command center in Washington
U.S. President Barack Obama listens during a briefing about Hurricane Irene during a visit to the National Response Coordination Center at FEMA Headquarters in Washington August 27, 2011. Obama held a conference call on Saturday with emergency officials to discuss Hurricane Irene, which was targeting the U.S. East Coast, the White House said. With Obama is Homeland Security Secretary Jan Napolitano (L). REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque