President Donald J. Trump and FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor toured the disaster areas of Louisiana this afternoon to survey damage caused by Hurricane Laura.
President Trump approved a major disaster declaration for Louisiana following the storm.
The Louisiana major disaster declaration is in addition to the emergency declarations President Trump already approved for Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, to cover emergency protective response actions taken by state, local and tribal officials.
FEMA deployed 800 personnel to support the response and recovery, including seven regional Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMATs) and National IMATs deployed to Louisiana and Texas, and four Urban Search and Rescue teams deployed to Louisiana.
Laura caused widespread and extensive wind-related damage; trees and power lines are down, and many homes and businesses are damaged.
Survivors with damages in Louisiana’s Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jefferson Davis parishes can apply for assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov.
President Trump Tours Hurricane Laura Damage
![Government officials sitting at two long tables inside a fire station](/sites/default/files/2020-08/POTUS%20FEMA%20Fire%20Station.jpg)
LAKE CHARLES, La. (Aug. 29, 2020) President Donald J. Trump meets with FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf and Louisiana leaders to discuss Hurricane Laura response efforts.
FEMA photo by Lauren Fischer
FEMA Administrator Views Hurricane Laura Damage in Lake Charles
![FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor talks to a survivor outside of a home](/sites/default/files/2020-08/F1_Talks_Lake_Charles_Resident.jpg)
LAKE CHARLES, La. (Aug. 29, 2020) FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor speaks with a Lake Charles resident about the impacts of Hurricane Laura in his community.
FEMA photo by Dominick Del Vecchio
Teams Provide Medical Support
![Four people in blue uniforms are setting up a medical station outside](/sites/default/files/2020-08/DMAT_Setting_Up.jpg)
LAKE CHARLES, La. (Aug. 29, 2020) A Disaster Medical Assistance Team sets up tents at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital to provide support in response to Hurricane Laura. These teams are staffed with medical professionals who help respond to medical needs in a disaster area.
FEMA photo by Dominick Del Vecchio
FEMA Leadership View Damage from Hurricane Laura
![FEMA Administrator Gaynor speaks with staff while standing outside in Louisiana](/sites/default/files/2020-08/F1_Tours_Lake_Charles_Damage2.jpg)
LAKE CHARLES, La. (Aug. 29, 2020) Incident Management Assistance Team Lead MaryAnn Tierney, left, discusses the impact and the response to Hurricane Laura with FEMA Region 6 Regional Administrator Tony Robinson and FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor as they view the damage.
FEMA photo by Dominick Del Vecchio
Indiana TF 1 Searches a Damaged Structures
VERNON, La. (Aug. 28, 2020) An Urban Search and Rescue team member from Indiana Task Force searches a damaged structure in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura. Four Urban Search and Rescue teams deployed to Louisiana to assist response efforts.
Photo by Indiana US&R Task Force 1
Companies Provide Communication Support for First Responders
![Mobile cellular tower set up on a parking lot with other vehicles parked](/sites/default/files/2020-08/Verizon%20COW.jpg)
LAKE CHARLES, La. (Aug. 28, 2020) Ohio Task Force 1 is assisting companies working to re-establishing communication systems in the impacted area. Prior to mobile cellular towers arriving in the area, first responders were operating exclusively off satellite communications. The establishment of cell coverage substantially improves communications capability in the field and is an example the whole of America response to disasters.
Photo by Ohio US&R Task Force 1