Local, state, and congressional leaders surveyed hurricane Ida’s damage by air Wednesday, and Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng admits until she took to the air to view the entire devastation, she didn’t grasp the magnitude of Ida’s wrath.
“I had no idea how devastating this storm was to such an incredible amount of communities,” said Sheng.
President Biden will visit the state on Friday to view damage left by Hurricane Ida. Governor Edwards said the President has already approved his request for a major federal disaster declaration. This means for the first 30 days after landfall the federal government’s cost-share will be 100-percent for debris removal and emergency protective measures.
“He also approved individual assistance. Everyone out there who is a hurricane Ida survivor needs to apply to FEMA. I can tell you that in the last day and a half they’ve set records for how many people have applied so quickly,” said Edwards.
As for power restoration in New Orleans Edwards said some area of the city that received electricity Wednesday, which is welcome news after previous estimates of up to three weeks of no lights.
“With the feed that came in from New Orleans east, critically important to show some progress there and I believe that’s going to continue to build over the coming days,” said Edwards.
Edwards said among his request to the president is a permanent housing program to begin as soon as possible for southeast and southwest Louisiana.
Comments