Biden declares an emergency in Louisiana because of Storm Nicholas

U.S. President Joe Biden signed a decree declaring an emergency situation in the state of Louisiana due to the approach of Tropical Storm Nicholas and ordered to provide local authorities with federal aid. A statement to that effect was released by the White House press office on Tuesday night.

“President Joe Biden today declared an emergency situation in the state of Louisiana and ordered federal assistance to supplement state and local efforts to address emergency conditions caused by Tropical Storm Nicholas,” the statement said. Biden’s order calls for assistance to Louisiana authorities from the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency.

After Biden signed the emergency order, the U.S. National Hurricane Center reported that Tropical Storm Nicholas had strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane. At the moment, the maximum wind speed within the elements is 33.3 m/s. The hurricane is about 75 km southwest of the port city of Freeport and is moving northeast at about 17 km/h.