Governor asks for flood disaster declaration

Gov. John Bel Edwards asked President Joe Biden on Friday to declare a federal disaster after severe weather and flooding earlier this month killed five people and damaged at least 2,000 homes.

Edwards requested FEMA Individual Assistance for Ascension, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Iberville and Lafayette parishes. Individual Assistance includes aid from FEMA related to housing and other needs.

He also requested Small Business Administration assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding statewide.

Edwards declared a state of emergency for this disaster May 17.