Louisiana flood worst US disaster since Hurricane Sandy

By Kate Webster

The catastrophic flood devastating Louisiana is the worst natural disaster to strike the United States since Hurricane Sandy four years ago, the Red Cross said.

Red Cross’ vice president of disaster services operations and logistics, Brad Kieserman said thousands of people in Louisiana have lost everything they own and “need help now.”

“This disaster is the worst to hit the United States since Superstorm Sandy, and we anticipate it will cost at least USD$30 million – a number which may grow as we learn more about the scope and magnitude of the devastation.”

Despite the flooding, the Louisiana Office of Tourism has advised the state is still open for business.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Office of Tourism continue to monitor the effects of the recent floods on Louisiana’s tourism industry.

“As the weather subsides in our capital and southwest regions, we are confident that business will return to usual. We also want to highlight that a majority of the state has not been impacted by this disaster,” Lt. Governor Nungesser said.

“We look forward to welcoming our international visitors to the state, and we encourage each of you to come experience all that we have to offer from the music, history, culture and the best food in world – there is always something to see and do here in Louisiana.”

The city of New Orleans, the Louisiana gulf coast, and the central and northern regions of Louisiana as well as most of the geographic area of Louisiana were not affected by floodwaters.

Some state traveller welcome centres, state parks and state museums – all under Lt. Governor Nungesser’s office’s oversight – in the flood-affected areas saw woes ranging from temporarily restricted accessibility to limited damage to structures and amenities directly in the floodwaters’ paths

“The Louisiana Office of Tourism continues to assist our citizens that have been affected by these horrendous natural disasters across south central Louisiana,” said Assistant Secretary Kyle Edmiston. “However, if you have business or

leisure travel planned to the unaffected areas of the state, Louisiana still offers a plethora of authentic experiences to the traveling public.”

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