EL MIRAGE, Ariz., Aug. 29 (UPI) -- President Bush Monday declared major disasters in Louisiana and Mississippi hard-hit by Hurricane Katrina's wind and rain.
The declaration, issued as Air Force One was heading from Texas to Arizona, authorizes the use of federal funds for response and recovery efforts in the two Gulf Coast states, where thousands of homes were flooded or destroyed by the hurricane.
Katrina also caused extensive damage in southern Florida where the much-weaker storm caused flooding and knocked out electrical power to nearly 1.5 million people Thursday.
"Our Gulf Coast is getting hit and hit hard," Bush said. "I want the folks there on the Gulf Coast to know that the federal government is prepared to help you when the storm passes. I want to thank the governors of the affected regions for mobilizing assets prior to the arrival of the storm to help citizens avoid this devastating storm."
The federal disaster declaration clears the way for emergency grants for temporary housing, home repair and low-interest loans.
