Trump Organization prepares Mar-A-Lago for Hurricane Irma
NAPLES, Fla. — As Hurricane Irma marches toward Florida, the Trump Organization said it is preparing its handful of properties that could be in the path of the storm.
“The safety and security of our guests, members and colleagues is our top priority, and we are closely monitoring Hurricane Irma," said Amanda Miller, spokeswoman for the Trump Organization.
President Trump has frequented his Mar-A-Lago resort in Palm Beach often since his inauguration. The palace, built in 1927 for one of the richest women of the time, Marjorie Merriweather Post, has survived with little reported damage all the weather that has been thrown at it for nearly 100 years.
A Washington Post analysis in April found that it could cost the Coast Guard "tens of millions" over Trump's four-year term to protect Mar-A-Lago from the sea and air.
Miller did not respond to questions about whether taxpayers are helping to bolster the storm protection at Mar-A-Lago.
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The Trump organization also owns a handful of golf courses, hotels and other properties in the Miami, Doral and Palm Beach areas.
"Our teams at the Trump properties in Florida are taking all of the proper precautions and following local and Florida State Advisories very closely to ensure that everyone is kept safe and secure," Miller said. "We continue to send our thoughts and prayers to victims of Hurricane Harvey and are praying for those that are in the path of Hurricane Irma.”
Most computer models take Irma along the east coast of Florida. It all depends on when the storm turns north this weekend. A delay could bring the catastrophic winds closer to the west coast.
Either way, the storm has put millions of Floridians and their properties at risk.
All of Florida is under a state of emergency. The biggest concern now is not just the record wind speeds but the flooding that could be caused by the storm surge, Gov. Rick Scott said Thursday.
“This can kill you,” he said.
The surge will depend on the tide. If Irma hits Florida during high tide, the storm surge could be deeper, according to a National Weather Service update released Thursday.
It was too early to predict the size of the surge brought by Irma. But a National Weather Service hazard map showed a Category 3 storm could increase sea water levels to more than 9 feet above ground along the Atlantic coast, from Port Orange to Fernandina Beach.
