President Barack Obama has been staying up-to-date on the flooding situation in Louisiana, White House Deputy Press Secretary Jen Friedman told reporters Sunday evening.

Obama called Gov. John Bel Edwards on Sunday to let him know that his request for an emergency declaration had been granted for four of the parishes that have been hit hardest by flooding following heavy rain that stretched into the weekend.

According to the White House, president told Edwards that his prayers are with the people of Louisiana, and that the federal government will continue to support the state's ongoing recovery.

The president's disaster declaration means that federal funding will become available to affected individuals in the four parishes, and possibly more if the declaration is expanded as damage is assessed and storms continue across the state.

That assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, as well as low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses.

The disaster declaration also makes federal funding available for state and local government emergency and recovery efforts.