Obama pledges hurricane Irene aid

US President Barack Obama has promised federal aid to east coast areas struck by Hurricane Irene, during a tour of the badly-hit state of New Jersey. Obama said the government would "meet our federal obligations" by doing everything necessary to help communities rebuild. Hurricane Irene caused an estimated $10bn worth of damage. "We are going to make sure that we provide all the resources that are necessary in order to help these communities rebuild. "I know that there''s been some talk about whether there''s going to be a slowdown in getting funding out here, emergency relief. As president of the United States I want to make it very clear that we are going to meet our federal obligations," he said.