President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has sent a message of condolence to US President Donald Trump, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Florence in North Carolina, resulting in loss of lives and widespread destruction to properties and livelihoods.
In the message, the president said he was deeply saddened to hear the news of the devastation caused by Hurricane Florence in North Carolina, leading to loss of lives and widespread destruction to properties and livelihoods. At this time of national grief, President Yameen extended profound sympathies on behalf of the government and the people of Maldives to the president, the government and the people of US, especially to those who were directly affected by the tragedy.
The Maldivian president also lauded the resiliency of the people of US in their efforts to surmount the calamity and the remarkable commitment of the government in assisting the victims. On conclusion, the president offered sincere condolences to the families of those who perished.
Florence, which was a onetime hurricane that weakened to a tropical depression by Sunday, dumped up to 40 inches of rain on parts of North Carolina since Thursday and continued to produce widespread heavy rain over much of North Carolina and eastern South Carolina.
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for the area and said up to 8 inches more rain could fall in some areas, creating an elevated risk for landslides in Western North Carolina. The storm killed at least 11 people in North Carolina, including a mother and a child killed by a falling tree.