The cost of August’s historic flooding in Louisiana is surging into view now, and rising as fast as riverwater. It could hit $15bn, according to a new report, and state officials and residents have begun scrambling to find money as southern Louisiana slowly dries out. The region has never flooded in living memory, and in many areas flood insurance was not even available. On Friday during a trip to Washington, Governor John Bel Edwards requested a $2bn bailout package in addition to the money the federal government has already pledged. But the flood had become so expensive, Obama wrote, that the federal government would cover 90% of those costs, leaving 10% for Louisiana.

Source: The Guardian September 11, 2016 14:00 UTC