The Latest: Trump says Puerto storm response 'unappreciated'
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump's view of the government's response to hurricanes (all times local):
7:30 a.m.
President Donald Trump says the U.S. government is ready for Hurricane Florence and he's rejecting criticism of the response to last year's Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, where thousands of people died.
Trump tweeted Wednesday, "We got A Pluses for our recent hurricane work in Texas and Florida (and did an unappreciated great job in Puerto Rico, even though an inaccessible island with very poor electricity and a totally incompetent Mayor of San Juan)."
He says, "We are ready for the big one that is coming!"
Florence is nearing the Carolina coast with powerful winds and drenching rain.