Saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico is entering the freshwater supply.
President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration for the state of Louisiana on Wednesday allowing FEMA to provide emergency assistance for water treatment over the next 90 days. The Mississippi River flow is at an all-time low from a combination of drought and the hot summer. The river’s water levels would normally prevent seawater from the Gulf of Mexico from entering the freshwater supply that serves New Orleans and other low-lying Louisiana communities.
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards requested the emergency declaration. “Efforts to mitigate the impact of the saltwater intrusion are currently underway and other projects are being considered based on the projections being received from the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE),” Governor Edwards stated Wednesday. “This 90-day approval of our Emergency Declaration will help our state and local partners with the costs of any mitigation efforts and protective measures.”.
He added, “As this event unfolds, we will continue to analyze the emergency efforts and impacts to determine if further requests will be necessary.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Governor Edwards as he oversees efforts to maintain fresh drinking water in New Orleans and surrounding areas.
- For President Biden and administration officials as they consider various requests from the states for emergency assistance.
- For Administrator Deanne Criswell as she heads the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Sources: The Hill NBC News
