WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy on Monday urged President Joe Biden to initiate the process for an emergency declaration as Louisiana braces for Tropical Storm Francine, which is expected to make landfall later this week, potentially as a hurricane.
An emergency declaration would unlock critical federal disaster relief and protective measures. These declarations are typically signed by the president just before or shortly after a storm’s impact.
“Due to the expected magnitude, I am calling on @POTUS to approve the emergency disaster declaration and coordinate federal assistance throughout this severe weather event,” Cassidy wrote on the social platform X.
The National Weather Service forecasts that Francine will strike central Louisiana’s Gulf Coast on Wednesday evening as a Category 1 hurricane, bringing 85-mph winds, a 10-foot storm surge, and around eight inches of rain.
Michael Brennan, Director of the U.S. National Hurricane Center, warned of the dangerous conditions ahead. “We’re going to have a very dangerous situation developing by Wednesday along the north-central Gulf Coast, especially in Louisiana, with life-threatening storm surge inundation and hurricane-force winds,” he stated.
In his letter to Biden, Cassidy emphasized that southern Louisiana is already waterlogged from recent storms, further heightening the risk.
“I urge you to consider this request in an expeditious manner to approve the emergency declaration and coordinate federal assistance throughout this severe weather event,” Cassidy wrote.
While the White House has not yet commented on Cassidy’s request, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has activated its Response Coordination Center for Louisiana, Texas, and the surrounding area. FEMA is also preparing additional personnel and resources in case they are needed.