The flooding across South Louisiana has left at least 13 people dead and thousands more displaced. More than 110,000 households have applied for federal recovery assistance through FEMA, and 2,817 people remained in shelters overnight Sunday.
Obama, who was vacationing in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts when the floods hit Louisiana, has faced some criticism over the past week for not cutting his trip short to see the damage here first-hand – including in an editorial by The Advocate. The president also has not publicly commented on the floods, though he reached out to Gov. John Bel Edwards to express his sympathy for its victims and quickly issued a federal disaster declaration that has been extended to cover 20 parishes.
Shortly after Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump traveled to Baton Rouge on Friday to survey the flood-affected areas, the White House announced the president's impending trip.
"The President is mindful of the impact that his travel has on first responders and wants to ensure that his presence does not interfere with ongoing recovery efforts," Obama's administration said in a statement. "He is also eager to get a first-hand look at the impact of the devastating floods, hear from more officials about the response, including how the federal government can assist and tell the people of Louisiana that the American people will be with them as they rebuild their community and come back stronger than ever."
Hillary Clinton, the Democratic candidate for president, said on Monday that she will also travel to the flood-affected area but offered no specific date or other details.
"The best way to help Louisianans affected by these terrible floods is to make sure they have the resources they need today," Clinton said in a statement. "I am committed to visiting communities affected by these floods, at a time when the presence of a political campaign will not disrupt the response, to discuss how we can and will rebuild together."
Obama's trip this week marks the second time he has traveled to Baton Rouge this year.
In January, the president gave a speech at McKinley High School, highlighting the state's expansion of Medicaid through the Affordable Care Act shortly after Edwards took office.
Other high-profile events in Baton Rouge over the summer, namely the officer-involved shooting of Alton Sterling and the targeted deaths of three law enforcement officers, elicited responses from the president, but some questioned why he didn't travel to Louisiana in their aftermath. Vice President Joe Biden attended a memorial service for the slain officers.
Edwards' administration has generally said it has been satisfied with the federal government's response to the floods. The federal disaster declaration came within hours of the governor's verbal request for one. Within days, top officials from FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security were on the ground to see the destruction first-hand.
"The president will have an opportunity to examine this historic flooding first-hand, and we are grateful for the quick action by the federal government to get the assistance to Louisianans who’ve been impacted by this storm as quickly as possible," Edwards' spokesman Richard Carbo said Monday.
During an appearance on CNN Sunday, Edwards praised Trump and his running mate Indiana Gov. Mike Pence for coming to see the massive flooding damage in the state.
"I think ... because it helped shine a spotlight on Louisiana and the dire situation that we have here that it was helpful," Edwards told CNN's Dana Bash.
Edwards said that Trump's running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, called him Friday morning to offer assistance and discuss the situation.
"We spoke for a long time Friday morning about their desire to be helpful," Edwards said.
Former U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, also a Democrat, had similarly praised Trump's trip earlier on Friday, saying that it brought needed attention to the plight here. She called on Obama and Clinton to make plans to travel here.
Edwards, who was not among the leaders invited to join Trump on the tarmac for his arrival Friday, is expected to be there for the president's arrival.
U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond, the New Orleans Democrat who represents the 2nd District, also is expected to be among leaders who will join Obama.
"No one can reasonably question the President's commitment to Louisiana and our recovery," Richmond said Monday. "His administration has been present and responsive since day one of the flooding. I look forward to spending time with him tomorrow to share our progress and continued needs."
———
©2016 The Advocate, Baton Rouge, La.
Visit The Advocate, Baton Rouge, La. at www.theadvocate.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
