President Obama promises help to Louisiana after flooding damage

Nine days after President Barack Obama declared a major disaster in Louisiana, he visited flooded neighborhoods in Baton Rouge on Tuesday afternoon. After doing so, he promised to rebuild the state. Thirteen people were killed in the floods while thousands were more forced to abandon their homes.

As ABC News explained, by declaring Louisiana a major disaster area, federal resources became available that could be put toward “home repairs, temporary housing, low-cost loans for uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover.”

Approximately $127 million in aid has been given to the state, according to the president, who gave glowing remarks about the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Besides visiting the Castle Place neighborhood, Obama also met with the family of Alton Sterling, who was killed by Baton Rouge police in July, and family members of the slain and injured officers of the Baton Rouge Police Department and East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office.

“I come here first and foremost to say that the prayers of the entire nation are with everybody who lost loved ones. We are heartbroken by the loss of life,” he said during remarks after his tour of the flooding. “There are also still people who are desperately trying to track down friends and family. We are going to keep on helping them every way that we can.

“Sometimes when these kinds of things happen, it can seem too much to bear, but what I want the people of Louisiana to know is that you’re not alone on this,” he said. “Even after the TV cameras leave, 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.

“Now, federal assistance alone won’t be enough to make people’s lives whole again, so I’m asking every American to do what you can to help get families and local businesses back on their feet,” Obama said. “This is not a one-off. This is not a photo-op issue.”