Obama views Sandy recovery in tour of NYC

He was joined on the tour by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, both New York Democrats, flew up with the president.

Cuomo said earlier this week that he would request $30 billion in federal aid to rebuild.

White House press secretary Jay Carney said he couldn't comment on the request because the administration was still waiting to see the details. He said the federal government will continue to do everything possible to cut red tape and help affected communities rebuild.

Obama traveled to New Jersey on Oct. 31 to meet with Gov. Chris Christie and view recovery efforts in battered coastal communities. He saw flattened houses, flooded neighborhoods, sand-strewn streets and a still-burning fire along the coastline.

The White House said the president didn't visit New York then so as not to interfere with recovery efforts.

Associated Press writer Nedra Pickler in Washington and Meghan Barr in New York contributed to this report.