US Rep. Garret Graves asks President Biden to expedite Louisiana’s disaster declaration request

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — Louisiana members of Congress are urging President Joe Biden to expedite the state’s request for an emergency declaration before landfall of Hurricane Francine.

U.S. Rep. Garret Graves wrote on behalf of other Congress members to Biden to expedite Gov. Jeff Landry’s request for an emergency declaration on Tuesday.

During a Monday press conference, Landry issued a statewide emergency declaration. On Tuesday, Louisiana Climatologist Jay Grymes said some rain is to be expected in the area but the heavy rain and wind aren’t supposed to begin until Wednesday.

Schools and offices across multiple parishes have closed Wednesday and Thursday to prepare for the potential hurricane threat.

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Read Graves’ letter below.

“In anticipation of landfall as a potential Category 2 hurricane, Gov. Landry has requested emergency protective measures (Group B) and direct federal assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. The expected impact of this storm requires federal assistance to supplement the state and local government response.

The National Weather Service anticipates Hurricane Francine to bring high winds, heavy rainfall and life-threatening storm surge to Louisiana. On Sept. 9, 2024, Gov. Landry declared a statewide emergency and directed the execution of the State’s Emergency Operations Plan. The State of Louisiana has further determined this storm is of such magnitude that federal assistance is needed to protect our communities.

We urge you to quickly review and approve the emergency declaration request and coordinate federal assistance. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.”

Garret Graves, U.S. Congress

Congressmen Clay Higgins and Troy Carter, Congresswoman Julia Letlow, U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson also signed off on the letter.

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