WASHINGTON— U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) sent a letter to President Obama today calling for him to declare a major disaster after flooding from the Red River caused significant damage to Louisiana communities. Governor Jindal recently requested federal assistance to ensure an effective response and recovery for communities affected.
“…Massive amounts of rain in Texas and Oklahoma raised water levels across the Red River basin to historic levels. This rain filled reservoirs to the point where the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) needed to release water downstream. In early June, the Corps discharged 55,000 cubic feet of water daily from Lake Texoma, OK. That water eventually ended up on the roads and in the backyards of Louisiana communities,” wrote Dr. Cassidy.
“Due to the gravity of the situation and our shared goal of protecting life, property and mitigating future damage I respectfully encourage you to declare a major disaster,” Dr. Cassidy continued.
Dr. Cassidy visited the flooded areas to survey the damage with Bossier Parish Sheriff Julian Whittington, Shreveport Mayor Ollie Tyler and meet with and help volunteers. He also joined Senator David Vitter and Representatives John Fleming and Ralph Abraham in questioning federal agencies on their inaccurate cresting predictions for the Red River, which crested 3 feet higher than expected and resulted in flood damage across Northwest Louisiana.
Read the letter below:
July 7, 2015
The Honorable Barack H. Obama
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear President Obama,
I am writing to express my support for Louisiana’s request that you declare a major disaster for the state following the Red River Flooding Event. The Governor of Louisiana is specifically requesting full Individual Assistance for Bossier and Caddo Parishes; Public Assistance for Bossier, Caddo, Grant, Natchitoches, and Red River Parishes; and Hazard Mitigation statewide. The response to the flooding will strain the capacity of local and state emergency managers. Subsequently, to ensure efficient and effective response and recovery from an incident of this scale supplemental federal resources are necessary.
As you are aware, massive amounts of rain in Texas and Oklahoma raised water levels across the Red River basin to historic levels. This rain filled reservoirs to the point where the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) needed to release water downstream. In early June, the Corps discharged 55,000 cubic feet of water daily from Lake Texoma, OK. That water eventually ended up on the roads and in the backyards of Louisiana communities. At its high point the Red River crested at 37ft, 7 feet above flood stage. Damage from flooding continues impact structures and roads in close proximity to the Red River.
Due to the gravity of the situation and our shared goal of protecting life, property and mitigating future damage I respectfully encourage you to declare a major disaster.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this issue of great importance to the people of Louisiana.
Sincerely,
Bill Cassidy, M.D.
United States Senator
cc: The Honorable W. Craig Fugate