国际英语新闻:Obama says Irene remains dangerous, impact to be felt for some time

WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama said on Sunday that Irene, which had been downgraded to tropical storm status from category one hurricane, remains "a dangerous storm" as the public is still at risk of flooding and power outages.

Speaking in a White House address, Obama said that the federal government remains concerned about localized flooding.

"This is not over," he said, urging the public to continue to follow the directions of state and local officials.

President Barack Obama speaks about damage done by Hurricane Irene next to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano (C) and Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate (R) in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, August 28, 2011

"The impacts of this storm will be felt for some time. And the recovery effort will last for weeks or longer," said Obama. He pledged that federal agencies will "do everything in their power" to help those affected communities to recover.

While delivering the short statement, the president was flanked by Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate.

"We urged all Americans to take prudent steps to stay safe," said Napolitano.

Irene churned up the U.S. mid-Atlantic coast as category one hurricane since it made landfall in North Carolina Saturday morning. It lost some strength as it hit the New York City Sunday morning, with winds dropping to 65 mph by 9 a.m. and was thus downgraded to tropical storm status, according to the National Hurricane Center. As it moved up into New England region, the storm lost steam even further, though still brought strong winds and heavy rains.

At least 15 people died from the storm across six states, and more than four million people were knocked out of power.

"Power could be out for days," the president warned, asking people to be patient as "response and recovery efforts will be an ongoing operation."

Obama cut short his vacation in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, to return to the capital city of Washington ahead of the storm's arrival. He had warned that the hurricane could be "historic" and urged people to "take it seriously."

Related:

Hurricane Irene pounds New York City

NEW YORK, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Hurricane Irene pounded the New York City metropolitan area with furious winds and lashing rain overnight on Sunday but officially arrived shortly before noon as a weakened tropical storm and quickly bringing a surreal calm prompting a collective sign of relief.

One man was reported killed in a fire in the nearby U.S. state of Connecticut and a woman who telephoned she was trapped in her car was later found dead in Salem County in the state of New Jersey, officials said. No major wind damage, deaths or serious injuries were reported in New York City itself.