Advertisement President Obama signs disaster declaration for north Louisiana parishes Additional parishes may be added as damage surveys are completed Share Shares Copy Link Copy

President Barack Obama declared a major disaster exists in Louisiana and has ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts in areas affected by severe storms and flooding.The president's action makes federal funding available to people affected in the parishes of Bossier, Claiborne, Grant, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland and Webster.Video: Rep. Steve Scalise discusses federal responseThe Federal Emergency Management Agency said that Gerard M. Stolar has been named federal coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas.Damage surveys are continuing in other areas and more parishes and additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed.Link: Register online for disaster assistance"I want to emphasize that this is an initial declaration. We appreciate the quick response from the federal government to our request, and we will continue to work with them to ensure that every citizen who is impacted by this storm receives the disaster assistance he or she needs," Gov. John Bel Edwards said on Sunday.Federal assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help people and business owners recover from the storms and flooding in Louisiana.The White House said the disaster declaration also provides federal funding to the state, local governments and nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work. This applies to the parishes of Bossier, Claiborne, Grant, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland and Webster.Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated parishes can begin applying for assistance Monday by registering online or by calling 800-621-3362.More information and updates will be released as necessary.Get complete weather coverage from WDSU by downloading our Weather app! Download FREE for iOS and Android.Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news right in your inbox. Click here to sign up!13484466