Obama set to visit flood-stricken Louisiana after Trump ridicules him
US President Barack Obama is set to visit Louisiana to see the impact of the devastating floods there, following jibes by US Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
The White House released a statement on Sunday, saying Obama would set off to Baton Rouge on Tuesday and has ordered federal aid to help state and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by flooding.
This marks one of his first orders of business as he returns from vacation, which Trump was quick to point out during his visit earlier.
According to the White House, the president received updates about the situation in Louisiana while he was in Martha’s Vineyard, an island resort in Massachusetts where he was on a 16-day family vacation.
Trump reportedly made snide remarks at Obama for being there while the catastrophe was ongoing.
After touring the flood-stricken areas on Friday, Trump criticized Obama for playing golf on the island saying, “Obama ought to get off the golf course and get down there.”
Obama expressed a need to visit the flooded region, after receiving updates from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administrator and US Secretary of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson, who made separate trips there.
He wanted to get a “first-hand look at the impact of the devastating floods, hear from more officials about the response” and “tell the people of Louisiana that the American people will be with them”. He also assured that his visit should not “interfere with ongoing rescue efforts.”
Meanwhile, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton wrote on Facebook that she spoke with the Louisiana governor, and that the "flooding there is bigger than anyone expected." She said that her "heart breaks for Louisiana," and that the relief effort "can't afford any distractions."
Last week, Obama issued a “major disaster” declaration for the state of Louisiana, which has killed at least 13 people and forced thousands into shelters.
The Louisiana flooding has been dubbed as the “worst US disaster since Hurricane Sandy four years ago”, according to the Red Cross.
The state received nearly 7 trillion gallons of rain in one week, causing more than 60,000 homes to be damaged and cost at least $30 million. However, with more rain forecast, the destruction and costs could mount.
The southeastern US state has had an unfortunate history accustomed to hurricanes and storms. In March, thousands of homes in the northern parts of the state were damaged as a result of catastrophic floods.
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