Obama issues major disaster declaration for the state of Louisiana ⁰

US President Barack Obama has issued a “major disaster” declaration for the state of Louisiana, where historic flooding has killed at least five people and stranded thousands more.

Obama called Governor John Bel Edwards to inform him of the decision, the White House said in a statement on Sunday night, two days after Edwards requested a state emergency as heavy rains soaked southeast Louisiana southern Mississippi.

The president told Edwards that the federal government will help Louisiana with its ongoing rescue and recovery missions.

“We are thankful for the federal government’s quick response to our request for an emergency declaration,” Edwards said in response.

The declaration makes federal funding available to those who were affected by the flood in at least four parishes of Tangipahoa, St. Helena, East Baton Rouge and Livingston that were hit the hardest.

Presstv