BATON ROUGE (AP) — Gov. John Bel Edwards is reaching out to the nation's president-elect for help in Louisiana's recovery from August flooding that heavily damaged southern parishes.
The Democratic governor sent Donald Trump a letter Wednesday, congratulating him on his victory, thanking him for his August visit to see the flood damage and asking to speak with the incoming Republican president about Louisiana's recovery needs.
Edwards' office released the letter Thursday.
Democrat Hillary Clinton, who Edwards backed in the presidential race, never visited Louisiana after the floods. In his letter, Edwards credited Trump's visit with drawing attention to the disaster, but said Louisiana needs more help.
The governor has asked for $4 billion in federal aid and has received $438 million from Congress so far. He's hoping additional disaster block grant money will be approved when Congress returns to work before the new term begins in January.
"We know that Louisiana has long-term needs that will extend well beyond this year for our people to fully recover," Edwards wrote Trump. "I am confident that we will be able to demonstrate to you the importance of these funds to Louisiana and how they will be used to help families return to their homes and communities."
Trump easily won Louisiana in the presidential race.
