Trump arrives in Panhandle: ‘Many of these people have no home’

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — President Donald Trump arrived in the Florida Panhandle Monday to view the devastation caused by Hurricane Michael and to personally thank first responders.

Air Force One landed at Eglin Air Force Base in Okaloosa County at about 10:35 Central Standard Time. First Lady Melania Trump was with the president, and they were met by Gov. Rick Scott, U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who lives in nearby Walton County.

"Many of these people have no home. Some of them have no trace of a home," Trump told reporters on the airport tarmac. "Rick Scott has done an incredible job."

Trump reached back and gave the governor a hearty handshake as cameras rolled.

Scott returned the praise, saying that Trump has always followed through on federal promises of support.

That support will becomes more critical in the days and week's ahead as tens of thousands of Florida residents try to rebuild their lives.

Trump cited the "thousands and thousands" of repair workers trying to restore power to storm-battered Panama City, Mexico Beach and surrounding areas.

The president boarded Marine One, a helicopter, and headed for Panama City. Scott planned to visit an emergency operations center in Gulf County later Monday.