Trump phones Texas, Louisiana governors ahead of Hurricane Harvey

President Trump spoke on the phone Thursday with the governors of Louisiana and Texas as the states prepare for Hurricane Harvey, which is expected to make landfall late Friday or early Saturday.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said in a statement released Thursday night that Trump promised his state any resources that it needs as it handles the storm and its aftermath.

“President Trump called Governor Abbott to offer federal support for the State of Texas as Hurricane Harvey approaches the Gulf Coast. The President pledged all available resources from the federal government to assist in preparation, and rescue and recovery efforts,” the statement read.

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“The Governor thanked the President for his pledge of support and assured him that the state is working hand-in-hand with local and federal partners on all issues related to the storm,” it added.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) wrote on Twitter that Trump offered his “full support” to his state in the hours leading up to Harvey’s landfall.

“Spoke w/ @POTUS @realDonaldTrump this afternoon. He offered his full support to the people of LA as we prepare for #Harvey,” Bel Edwards tweeted.

Spoke w/ @POTUS @realDonaldTrump this afternoon. He offered his full support to the people of LA as we prepare for #Harvey. #lagov #lawx

— Gov John Bel Edwards (@LouisianaGov) August 24, 2017

Harvey is expected to be the first category 3 hurricane to make landfall in the United States since 2005, and the first in the region since 1999. Both Louisiana and Texas have declared a state of emergency as the hurricane approaches.

The White House said earlier Thursday that the president was monitoring the storm and would be consulting with his new chief of staff John Kelly.

“We have acting [Homeland Security] Secretary Elaine Duke who’s watching this closely and very involved in the process along with the acting director for FEMA and again, I think that we are in great shape, having General Kelly sitting next to the president throughout this process,” press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said earlier Thursday.