President Trump on Friday declared an emergency in Louisiana as Tropical Storm Barry approaches the state.
The president ordered federal assistance to the state to supplement state and local efforts ahead of the impending storm.
The declaration authorizes federal departments to coordinate relief efforts and provide assistance in the area.{mosads}
The National Hurricane Center on Friday tweeted that “hazardous conditions” would arrive with the storm, and the New Orleans branch of the National Weather Service wrote that there was a “significant flood threat.”
Trump’s declaration follows an emergency declaration by Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D).{mosads}
“This is going to be a Louisiana event with coastal flooding and widespread, heavy rainfall potentially impacting every part of the state,” Edwards said in a statement.
Ahead of the storm’s approach, the city of New Orleans was already experiencing flooding. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said immigration enforcement efforts in the region would be suspended.