BATON ROUGE - Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced that the Obama administration has amended the August 14, 2016 Federal Disaster Declaration for the historic flooding across South Louisiana in order to alter the cost share for damages to 90 percent for the federal portion and 10 percent for the state and local portion (90/10). The original cost share for the state was 75/25. Gov. Edwards made the request during the President's visit to Louisiana in August.

“I am grateful to the Obama administration for understanding the needs of our people and committing the federal resources necessary to help Louisiana during this difficult time,” said Gov. Edwards. “The personal and financial devastation caused by this storm has impacted thousands of individuals and families, as well as the state and local governments. This much needed help creates a clearer path forward, but we still have a long way to go and will continue to ask the federal government for additional assistance. While it will take time to complete the rebuilding process, this amended cost share will enable us to help our people come back stronger than ever.”

Gov. Edwards is in Washington, D.C. to petition Congress for additional financial assistance and will testify before the House Subcommittee on Transportation and Public Assets about the oversight of the federal response to the flooding disaster on Friday, September 9, 2016.

The state has requested additional assistance, including aid through federal Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery and Social Services Block Grant funding. FEMA has opened Disaster Recovery Centers throughout the impacted areas and is coordinating with the Department of Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services and the Interior, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and others to provide assistance with damages caused by the flooding.

Click here to read the letter from President Obama.

Click here to read Gov. Edwards' letter to the Obama administration requesting the additional assistance.