Brief: Obama issues disaster funds

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — President Barack Obama has signed a disaster declaration for Louisiana to authorize federal aid for areas affected by severe storms and flooding in January.

A White House statement said the declaration of a major disaster makes federal funding available to state and local governments and certain private nonprofit groups on a cost-sharing basis.

The funds will pay for emergency response work and repairs to facilities damaged between Jan. 8 and Jan. 17 in the parishes of Acadia, Catahoula, Concordia, East Carroll, Evangeline, Franklin, Jefferson Davis, Livingston, Madison, St. Landry and Vermilion.

Gov. Bobby Jindal had requested similar aid for Rapides Parish, but the parish wasn’t included in the federal declaration.

Federal funds also are available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.