BATON ROUGE (AP) — President Donald Trump has approved a federal disaster declaration for two Louisiana parishes hit by Tuesday's tornado outbreak.
The declaration means people can get aid including grants for temporary housing and home repairs and low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency says a disaster recovery center is opening in eastern New Orleans to help people whose homes and businesses were damaged by the tornado last week.
Representatives from state and federal government and volunteer groups will be there to answer questions and help people apply for help.
A news release says the center will be open from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday and then move to regular business hours until further notice.
It's in the East New Orleans Public Library, 5641 Read Blvd.
Gov. John Bel Edwards requested individual assistance in Orleans, Ascension, Livingston and St. James parishes. It also sought public assistance in those areas plus Jefferson Parish; and for statewide hazard mitigation assistance.
The White House Saturday declared a major disaster exists and made federal funding available for those affected in Orleans and Livingston parishes. Edwards thanked Trump “for his quick assistance,” which can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs and low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses.
“Last week, South Louisiana was hit by another round of devastating storms,” Gov. Edwards said. “This declaration is key to getting assistance into the hands of the families who’ve been impacted. Everyone, from the local, state and federal level, have been instrumental in responding to these tornadoes. I want to thank President Trump for his quick assistance, and I commit to the people of South Louisiana that we will do everything within our power to help them rebuild as quickly as possible.”
“This emergency declaration is key to helping the residents of New Orleans East get back on their feet quickly by providing money for temporary housing and home repair,” Mayor Landrieu said. “I want to thank Governor Edwards and the team at GOHSEP for working with us quickly on our request. Our congressional delegation lobbied together effectively. I also want to thank the Trump Administration for granting it quickly. This will be critical as we move from response to recovery."
Damage surveys are continuing in the other areas and more parishes may be designated after they're completed.
Six tornadoes hit the state, including St. Tammany and Tangipahoa parishes and the parishes previously mentioned.
