Obama expands federal aid after historic Louisiana flooding

President Barack Obama issued a major disaster declaration for Louisiana after severe storms and flooding beginning August 11, 2016, then increased the federal public-assistance cost share to 90 percent on September 8. The flooding killed at least 13 people, damaged tens of thousands of homes, and became one of 2016's largest inland-flood disasters. The response shows how the Stafford Act lets presidents raise the federal share when state and local damage overwhelms normal capacity.