Biden snaps at reporter for asking 'totally irrelevant' question about his relationship with Ron DeSantis: Insists hurricane response is 'nothing to do' with politics - and warns Ian could be 'deadliest' in Florida's history 

• President Biden visited Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters
• He warned Florida it could be facing the deadliest hurricane in its history
• And he snapped at a question about his relationship with the Florida governor
• 'Totally irrelevant,' he said before saying he was working well with Ron DeSantis
• Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida on Wednesday, leaving trail of devastation

President Joe Biden warned Florida it could be facing the deadliest hurricane in its history on Thursday, as he praised emergency workers and warned gas companies not to use the devastation to raise prices.

And he tried to scotch stories about any rivalry with Florida's populist Republican governor, insisting he had a good relationship with Ron Desantis. 

'This is not about anything having to do with our disagreements politically,' he told a reporter during a visit to the Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters in Washington, D.C. 

'This is about saving people's lives, homes and businesses.' 

Hurricane Ian made landfall a day earlier, flooding both of Florida's coasts, knocking out power supplies and killing at least one person. 

Biden said that could be just the start. 

'This could be the deadliest hurricane in Florida history,' he said during a visit to the Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters in Washington, D.C.

'The numbers of still are still unclear, but we're hearing early reports of what may be substantial loss of life.'

The 1928 Okeechobee hurricane killed 2500 people - most of them in Florida.

The emergency has been seen as a test of Biden's relationship with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has positioned himself as a populist Republican with designs on the White House.

Biden snapped at a reporter who asked how their Thursday morning phone call went, saying the question was 'totally irrelevant.'

'But I'll answer it,' he said. Okay. Fine, very fine. 

'He complimented me.

'He thanked me for the immediate response we had. 

'He told me how much he appreciated it. Said he was extremely happy with what's going on.'

DeSantis has been one of the most prominent voices in the Republican Party's culture war attacks on the Biden administration.

He delighted supporters by chartering two planes to fly migrants from Texas to Martha's Habour, an island enclave off the coast of Massachusetts famous for its well-heeled visitors including the Obamas.

Earlier Biden declared the emergency to be a 'major disaster,' freeing up billions of dollars in assistance. 

'That means the federal government will cover 100 percent of the cost to clear debris and for all the cost the state has to engage in and expend to save lives,' said Biden during his visit. 

'The federal government will also cover the majority of the cost of rebuilding public buildings like schools and state fire stations. 

'And folks in Florida who have destroyed or damaged homes, [if] you don't have enough insurance, it means the federal government will provide individual assistance of $37,900 for home repairs another $37,900 for lost property.'  

The cost of repairing and reconstructing homes from the storm damage could cost up to $260 billion, according to property experts CoreLogic. 

Biden warned oil and gas companies not to use the devastation for profiteering.

'My experts informed me the production of only about 160,000 barrels a day has been impacted by this storm. 

'That's less than two percent of our country's daily production. 

'[This] small and temporary impact on oil production provides no excuse. No excuse for price increases at the pump. Period.'

He said he would direct officials to investigate any reports of 'price gouging.'  

Biden also said he planned to visit Florida and meet with DeSantis in person when 'conditions allow.' 

He added that he planned to visit Puerto Rico, which was devastated by Hurricane Fiona earlier in the month. 

'We know many families are hurting,' he said.

'Our entire country hurts with them.'

He urged those affected by Ian to take seriously the warnings from local officials to stay safe and remain indoors.

'Don't go outside unless you have to,' Biden said.