Central Louisiana News

Today, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) participated in a Unified Command Group meeting with Governor Jeff Landry to discuss Louisiana’s ongoing recovery from Hurricane Francine.

“Hurricane Francine was a test case for Louisiana,” Dr. Cassidy stated. “It could have been worse, but preparation and luck made it much better than it could have been. Individual acts of heroism, such as police officers rescuing people from flood waters or linemen restoring power, do not surprise us. I spoke with the Secretary of Homeland Security today emphasizing the need for disaster relief to those places impacted by the storm. I’ll continue to follow up.”

Hurricane Francine made landfall in Terrebonne Parish on Wednesday evening as a Category 2 hurricane. Despite rising floodwaters in coastal Louisiana, sheriff’s deputies in Lafourche Parish rescued 26 residents trapped in flooded homes. Additionally, about 450,000 people suffered power outages statewide, but that number has decreased to under 300,000.

In advance of the storm, Cassidy joined other members of the Louisiana Congressional Delegation to support Governor Landry’s request for a federal emergency declaration to authorize emergency protective measures and direct federal assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. That request was approved by the President on Tuesday evening. Consequently, assistance from FEMA is now available for debris removal and improvements to critical infrastructure among other needs.