WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump took to Twitter repeatedly Monday to warn of the dangers posed by Hurricane Florence as his administration prepares for what the president described as “one of the worst storms” to hit the Eastern Seaboard in years.

In a series of tweets throughout the day, Trump warned those in the storm’s path to “prepare themselves” and said he had spoken to the governors of North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, where the hurricane’s impact is predicted to be strongest.

Trump’s tweets come as the administration faces lingering questions about its response to Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico last year. That criticism was renewed in some quarters following a recent report that found nearly 3,000 had died because of the storm, far more than originally estimated.

“My people just informed me that this is one of the worst storms to hit the East Coast in many years,” Trump wrote in one tweet. “Also, looking like a direct hit on North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Please be prepared, be careful and be SAFE!”

One of Trump's tweets included a satellite image of the storm's swirling eye. Another included images of the president, Vice President Mike Pence and chief of staff John Kelly in the Oval Office receiving a briefing on preparations. The storm is predicted to make landfall Thursday.

An administration’s response to hurricanes and other disasters carries a risk for any president: It is a tangible way for voters to assess how well the government is managed. A quick response can be easily forgotten, but stumbles are often magnified and become political issues.

Washington’s response to Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans in 2005 became a major liability for President George W. Bush.

Relying on his favorite medium to communicate with voters, Trump was eager Monday to project a message of being on top of storm preparations.

“To the incredible citizens of North Carolina, South Carolina and the entire East Coast -- the storm looks very bad!” Trump wrote. “Please take all necessary precautions. We have already began mobilizing our assets to respond accordingly, and we are here for you!”

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