Louisiana requests federal assistance following Hurricane Beryl

Republican Gov. Jeff Landry requested federal assistance from the Biden administration for northwestern Louisiana hit by the remnants of Hurricane Beryl. The storm had been downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it moved into Louisiana but still caused widespread damage.

Landry’s office announced Wednesday the governor was seeking a federal disaster declaration that will provide money to cover the costs of emergency shelter, evacuations and debris removal.

The governor had spoken with Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the “White House,” according to a press release from Landry’s office.

“We want to ensure we seek all levels of support for the parishes that continue to recover from this devastating tornado outbreak,” Landry said in a written statement. “Several parishes face major costs for cleanup and work associated with the storm. This disaster declaration would help offset much of those costs.”

Landry announced Tuesday he had signed an emergency declaration for damage from Beryl, an essential first step to getting federal assistance. 

The storm hit Texas Monday morning as a Category 1 hurricane and crossed into Louisiana later in the day. Louisiana officials reported one death, damage to homes and businesses as well as power losses.

In neighboring Texas, where millions of people remain without power, President Joe Biden is in a public spat with Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick about whether the two Texas Republicans were slow to request federal disaster assistance, according to The Texas Tribune.

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