President Barack Obama is expected to arrive in Baton Rouge at this hour. The President is expected to tour flooded areas of the Capital City to see the flood damage first hand. UL-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says the Commander in Chief could also play a vital role in getting more federal aid to Louisiana.
Congressman Garrett Graves says in order for our community to recover there needs to be an assistance package to help those affected. But he admits it may be difficult to get a financial aid package approved because three members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation voted against a Hurricane Sandy relief package. The congressman plans to speak to the president today about financial aid for flood victims, local businesses, schools, plus flood protection from the area.
Graves says they are working on legislation that could help homeowners who lost everything in the flood.
Professionals in Louisiana’s film industry are available to help in the recovery process from the historic flood. President of Film Production Capital, Will French, says the state’s film industry is down 85-percent, which means carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and other skilled workers are unemployed.
CUT 3 (10) “rebuilding process”
French says this is a way to help both flood victims and film industry workers.
Over 5-thousand GoFundMe campaigns have been created to aid victims of this historic flooding raising more than six million dollars. CEO of GoFundMe Rob Solomon says money is being donated from all around the country and the world. He says this is the largest U.S. natural disaster seen on the GoFundMe platform.