Taking his own advice not to linger at the beach, President Barack Obama cut short his family's vacation on Martha's Vineyard and headed back to Washington late on Friday to await the landfall of a Hurricane Irene, which he warned could be an 'historic' storm. Joined by his wife, Michelle, and daughters Malia and Sasha, Mr Obama boarded his Marine One helicopter at the island's airport and took off for Cape Cod, where Air Force One then took them back to Washington. White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the president felt it prudent to be back in Washington when Irene strikes the Eastern Seaboard.
@highlight
President took part in emergency test in 2009, which simulated a hurricane striking New York City
Mr Obama said he had been briefed on @placeholder's status on Friday morning by top federal officials.