President Obama Takes On Louisiana Flood
President Barack Obama took a trip to Louisiana in the midst of the recent flood crisis. Louisiana has had history of some of the nation’s worst disasters over the last 15 years and disaster strikes again with the recent flood in Baton Rouge, an estimated 146,156 homes, or 41.5 percent, were hurt by the flooding.
President Obama received criticism when local officials reportedly said the president declined their initial call for help while he was reportedly on vacation. Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, who took advantage of the wait, made a trip down to Louisiana four days prior to Obama’s arrival.
Democratic presidential nominee, Hillary Clinton, has yet to visit. While the media takes the flood crisis in Louisiana as a “who’s first?” race for presidential candidates, Louisiana struggles to find recovery. The flood is considered to be the worst U.S. disaster since Hurricane Sandy. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson visited last Thursday along with the director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The Obama administration addressed the matter:
“What I want the people of Louisiana to know is that you’re not alone in this, even after the TV cameras leave,” Mr. Obama said. “The whole country is going to continue to support you and help you until we get folks back in their homes and lives are rebuilt.”
President Obama went on to state: “It is good to have them here, whether it’s Trump, Obama or Clinton coming, just so people realize what’s going on here,” he said. “Nobody was prepared for something like this. It’s going to take the full force of the federal government to get us back on our feet.”
FEMA says it has given more than $127 million to people hit by historic floods.
