EDGARTOWN, Mass. (AP) ? President Barack Obama is keeping tabs on preparations for Hurricane Irene as his family rounds out their vacation on Martha’s Vineyard.
The president, Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha visited a private stretch of beach in Edgartown on Thursday, their second-to-last full day of vacation. The first family is scheduled to return to Washington on Saturday, ahead of the hurricane’s expected arrival.
White House aides said that Obama spoke with several administration officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate. He received updates on the hurricane’s progress and worked to ensure that states and local governments have what they need.
So far the president isn’t planning to change his schedule as a result of the storm. Irene is expected to make landfall in the Northeast on Sunday.
Obama was also briefed on developments in Libya, the White House said, and spoke with economic advisers to discuss proposals on jobs and deficit reduction for a proposal the president will announce in a speech after Labor Day.
