Gov. Cuomo visits US Virgin Islands to survey damage from Hurricane Irma

NEW YORK -- New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo traveled to the U.S. Virgin Islands on Friday to assess damage from Hurricane Irma and see how his state can assist in the recovery.

New York has already deployed Air National Guard aircraft and personnel to the islands to help with search and rescue. Other units have traveled to Texas, Florida, Mississippi and Puerto Rico following Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. The Democratic governor said New York stands ready to do more to assist the Virgin Islands "in any way we can."

New York has already deployed Air National Guard aircraft and personnel to the islands to help with search and rescue. Other units have traveled to Texas, Florida, Mississippi and Puerto Rico following Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Cuomo said New York stands ready to do more to assist the Virgin Islands "in any way we can."

"New Yorkers know full well the devastation that can come at the hands of Mother Nature and we stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the Virgin Islands as they begin to recover from this terrible ordeal," Cuomo said in a statement.

During the one-day visit Cuomo plans to survey damage on St. Thomas and St. John from the air before touring a damaged apartment building and meeting with Virgin Islands Gov. Kenneth Mapp and other top officials from the islands.

The trip likely will fuel speculation about a possible presidential campaign. Cuomo, who says he'll seek a third term, was asked to visit by Mapp, a native New Yorker.

"We have a special connection with New York, as more U.S. Virgin Islands residents list their place of birth as New York than any other state in the nation," Mapp said.