The US President has postponed one of the events planned for the Taoiseach’s visit to the White House due to the threat of Hurricane Milton.

Simon Harris will still meet Joe Biden in the Oval Office; however, a reception in the Rose Garden afterwards has been postponed.

In a phone call last night, President Biden told the Taoiseach he was postponing the event due to the “grave threat” the hurricane poses to the US.

US President Joe Biden speaks during at the White House in Washington, DC, 18-9-24. Image: dpa picture alliance / Alamy

The White House visit is part of a series of Washington events planned to mark 100 years of Irish/US relations.

Mr Harris will proceed with all the other engagements planned for his trip to Washington.

Florida is now preparing its largest evacuation in seven years as Hurricane Milton rapidly strengthens.

Storm surges are forecast to hit Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula before the full storm slams into Florida in the coming days.

Contractors clean debris left by Hurricane Helene in preparation for Hurricane Milton, 07-10-2024. Image: Associated Press / Alamy

Forecasters are now warning that the storm has the potential to be the strongest the Gulf of Mexico has seen in 20 years when it makes landfall on Wednesday.

There is a warning of a possible eight to 12-foot storm surge, which would be the highest ever recorded for the region.

It comes as emergency services are still struggling to provide relief in the aftermath of Storm Helene, which killed at least 230 people in several states across the southeast at the end of September.

Communities are also in a race against time to clear the debris from Helene, which could cause further damage if it remains on the streets when Milton hits.