Obama Calls RI Gov, Offers Help In Flood Cleanup

President Barack Obama has called Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri and offered as much federal help as necessary to deal with massive flooding in the state.

Carcieri spokeswoman Amy Kempe said Obama called the governor at 6:30 Thursday evening and that the conversation lasted for about 5 minutes.

She said the president promised that whatever cleanup assistance is needed would become available from the federal government.

Kempe said the governor appreciated the call and was not bothered that the president made an unannounced stop earlier in the day to Massachusetts without also visiting Rhode Island.

U.S. Homeland Secretary Janet Napolitano is scheduled to tour the flood damage on Friday.