Obama stops at FEMA en route to New Jersey

President Obama dropped by the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Wednesday, en route to inspect storm damage in New Jersey.

"Overnight, the president continued to receive updates from his team on the ongoing recovery efforts, including efforts by state and local officials and private utility companies to restore power," said a White House statement.

"This morning," the statement said, "the president will again receive a substantial briefing from his team on the impacts and the extensive federal support being provided to support state and local recovery efforts. The president continues to direct his team to lean forward aggressively."

Obama is not expected to comment during this visit. He was spotted at a conference table, flanked by FEMA Director Craig Fugate and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

Later Wednesday, Obama will tour damage from Hurricane Sandy along the Jersey shore, accompanied by Gov. Chris Christie, R-N.J.

They will be "talking with citizens who are recovering from the storm and thanking first responders who put their lives at risk to protect their communities," said the White House.

Obama is being careful to avoid the fate of predecessor George W. Bush, heavily criticized in 2005 for the administration's response to Hurricane Katrina.