BATON ROUGE, La. – FEMA has denied Louisiana’s appeal for a major disaster declaration after several severe storms and tornadoes swept through the state in February.
Governor John Bel Edwards appealed the initial denial of aid for the storms in Assumption, St. James and St. John the Baptist parishes.
“We wanted to make every effort to get federal assistance for those impacted by this event,” said Governor Edwards. “We felt the scope of their damage and recovery also overwhelmed the capacity of State and local resources. Unfortunately, FEMA did not agree with our assessment. Additionally, we felt a major disaster was necessary because of two other recent emergencies and to help us prepare for the start of the 2016 hurricane season.”
The National Weather Service said that as many as 13 tornadoes moved across the state on Feb. 23, slamming a trailer park and other homes in Convent, Louisiana along with some neighborhoods in LaPlace and Paincourtville.
In a letter to Governor Edwards, FEMA Administrator W. Craig Fugate said, “After a thorough review of all the information contained in your initial request and appeal, we reaffirm our original findings that the impact from this event is not of the severity and magnitude that warrants a major disaster declaration. Therefore, I must inform you that your appeal for a major disaster declaration is denied.”
Photo: (Sheba Turk)
WWLTV.com , WWL 5:30 PM. CDT May 02, 2016
