WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden said his administration is working with Florida officials to prepare for Hurricane Ian’s landfall as he urged those in the path of the storm to follow evacuation orders from local officials.

He warned the storm could be “life-threatening and devastating.”

“Our safety is more important than anything,” Biden said. “Our hearts are with everyone who will feel the effects of this storm, and we’ll be with you every step of the way.”

Biden said that he has approved an emergency assistance request from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and that the administration has been positioning supplies and personnel in recent days, including 3.5 million liters of water, 3.7 million meals and 700 generators.

The president spoke Tuesday with the mayors of Tampa, St. Petersburg and  Clearwater to discuss preparations. Biden has yet to speak with DeSantis — the pair have often been at political odds — but Federal Emergency Management Agency officials have been in direct communication with the governor, administration officials said.