U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) joined the entire Louisiana delegation in urging President Joe Biden to approve the governor’s request for an expedited major disaster declaration in the state following Hurricane Francine.
Initially a tropical storm that formed in the Gulf of Mexico on Sept. 9, Francine intensified before making landfall as a Category 2 hurricane, bringing heavy rainfall, a life-threatening storm surge, and sustained winds of 100 mph when it made landfall in Terrebonne Parish, La., on Sept. 11.
“Hurricane Francine continued north, bringing heavy winds and rain to communities across the state,” wrote Rep. Scalise and his colleagues in a Sept. 12 letter sent to Biden. “It has caused widespread damage that necessitates assistance from the federal government.”
Gov. Jeff Landry has requested Individual and Public Assistance for the following parishes: Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, and West Baton Rouge.
Additionally, the governor has requested statewide assistance for Hazard Mitigation, and a 100 percent federal cost share for Categories A and B for 30 days, according to the letter, which was also signed by seven other lawmakers, including U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and U.S. Reps. Garret Graves (R-LA), Julia Letlow (R-LA), and Troy Carter (D-LA).
“We ask for your swift consideration and approval of an expedited major disaster declaration for the State of Louisiana,” Rep. Scalise and his colleagues wrote. “These resources are necessary as we begin the recovery process.”