The Republican candidate for the USA presidential election Donald Trump on Friday visited Louisiana, devastated by floods last weekend, despite warning from the state governor to politicians to not go to the affected areas by the flood.
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The floods, which have put underwater large parts of Louisiana, have been described as the worst natural disaster known to the United States since the super-storm Sandy in 2012.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, said he encouraged Obama not to visit yet because a presidential tour could divert resources needed to focus on the recovery.
“We welcome him (Louisiana), but not for a photo operation”, said the governor’s office in a statement asking the NY to help by volunteering or making “a substantial donation”.
But Obama, who’s now vacationing on Martha’s Vineyard, has yet to visit the stricken state despite calls from local media to cut his vacation short.
Trump met with individual homeowners and a group of volunteers at a church outside Baton Rouge, where days of torrential rain caused rivers to overflow their banks, sending walls of water crashing into neighborhoods across central Louisiana. The White House said the president’s advisers had determined, in consultation with state officials, that Tuesday was an appropriate time to visit.
Obama wants to get a “firsthand look” at the devastation, White House press secretary Josh Earnest said in a statement. The White House said he would talk to local officials about what more the federal government can do to assist in the recovery.
More than 86,000 people have already applied for federal aid due to the last floods. Then President George W Bush was subject to stinging criticism by a large section of the media for what was perceived as a tardy administrative response to the catastrophic consequences of Hurricane Katrina. Four thousand people were still sleeping in shelters Friday night, according to estimates by the administration. Entire neighbourhoods must now contend with flood-hit homes.
Aides to Obama brushed off comparisons, arguing that a presidential visit too soon after the floods would take up time and energy of local officials while they are trying to deal with an emergency.
Hillary Clinton, Trump’s Democratic rival in the November 8 election, said she had spoken with the governor by phone on Friday.
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“My heart breaks for Louisiana, and right now, the relief effort can’t afford any distractions”, she said on Facebook, directing people to support organizations providing assistance. “I don’t care if he gives a nickel, he showed he cared by coming here”.
