Boustany: Additional Disaster Declarations Granted

Press Release

Dr. Charles Boustany (R-Lafayette) issued the following statement after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a federal disaster declaration for the following parishes: Acadia, Ascension, East Feliciana, Iberia, Lafayette, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, and Vermillion.

Boustany said: "For residents in these parishes, FEMA's disaster declaration comes with the relief that help is on the way. But more work needs to be done. I will continue working with my congressional colleagues, Governor John Bel Edwards, and other state and local officials to ensure Louisiana residents have all the help they need to get back on their feet."

On Sunday, August 14, in response to historic flooding, both Louisiana Governor Edwards and the Louisiana congressional delegation sent letters to the President urging him to expedite a federal disaster declaration for Allen, Ascension, Avoyelles, Cameron, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Vermilion, Washington, and West Feliciana parishes. The President granted disaster declarations for only four parishes: East Baton Rouge, Livingston, St. Helena, and Tangipahoa parishes.

Yesterday, Boustany sent a letter urging the President to issue a Major Disaster Presidential Declaration for Allen, Ascension, Avoyelles, Cameron, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Vermilion, Washington, and West Feliciana parishes. Boustany spent the day with Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards and representatives from FEMA touring flood damage in Lafayette, Vermilion, and Iberia parishes to make the case why a federal disaster declaration for this area is necessary.

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