Boustany Urges Obama Administration to Assist Louisiana

Posted: Aug 5, 2011 12:38 PM by Press Release

Lafayette, LA - U.S. Congressman Charles W. Boustany, Jr. MD (R-Southwest Louisiana) today called on President Obama to declare parishes in South Louisiana a disaster area in response to historic Mississippi River flooding from April 25 to July 7, 2011. Boustany asked the President to grant the State of Louisiana's request for a major disaster presidential declaration, which would provide public assistance for residents in areas affected by the flooding.

"Louisiana suffered through some of the worst flooding in recent memory, and we are working to ensure affected areas receive proper and immediate aid," Boustany said. "I urge the President to strongly consider the state's request for additional aid to assist residents recover from the receding floodwaters."

The state requested Public Assistance aid for twenty-two parishes along the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers. If approved, aid will be made available to public and certain private non-profit entities for qualified emergency services and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged public facilities. Statewide Hazard Mitigation was also requested.

Boustany was instrumental in directing aid to the state before and after the recent Mississippi River floods and the opening of the Morganza Spillway. Through his efforts, the Department of Agriculture agreed to designate crop and seafood losses due to flooding of the spillway. In addition, Boustany has called on the Administration to aid dredging efforts in South Louisiana waterways as a result of record siltation from high flood waters.