Congress Oks More Than $1.25B For Louisiana Flood Recovery

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Congress has approved more than $1.25 billion for Louisiana's flood recovery.

The additional allocation approved Friday means Congress has dedicated between $1.8 billion and $1.9 billion, including an initial $438 million in disaster relief funds, for Louisiana's long-term rebuilding. Still, that's short of the at least $2.6 billion requested.

Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter says now that money has been secured, it's time to focus on making sure the funds are allocated quickly.

A flood recovery task force created by Gov. John Bel Edwards will decide how the dollars are spent.

The August flooding in South Louisiana was one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history. It followed Red River flooding in March that affected much of north and central Louisiana.

Edwards and others said they'll seek more flood assistance in 2017.

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