Going to have your back: Joe Biden promises Ida-ravaged Louisiana

After Hurricane Ida rampaged the Gulf Coast, US President Joe Biden was in Louisiana on Friday to offer federal assistance as well as assess the immense damage first-hand. 

After Biden made his way through the wood poles that held power lines jutting from the ground at odd angles to reach LaPlace, a community between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain that suffered catastrophic wind and water damage, where he was briefed by the local officials on the extent of the damage. 

Biden was welcomed at the airport by Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat. Several Republicans, including Sen. Bill Cassidy and Rep. Steve Scalise, the House Republican whip.

At the outset of the briefing, the President said, “I promise we’re going to have your back,” according to Associated Press inputs.

Also read: Ida aftermath: What we know so far about floods on US’ eastern seaboard

Hurricane Ida was the fifth-most powerful storm to strike the US when it hit Louisiana on Sunday with maximum winds of 150 mph (240 kph), likely causing tens of billions of dollars in flood, wind and other damage, including to the electrical grid.

Furthermore, it killed at least 48 people in the Northeastern US and at least 13 in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

The storm’s remnants dropped devastating rainfall across parts of Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey on Wednesday, causing significant disruption to major population centres.

Biden has pointed to that destruction to call for greater public resolve to confront climate change and help the nation deal with the fierce storms, flooding and wildfires that have beset the country.

He opined that his proposed $1 trillion infrastructure deal would counter the climate crisis at hand and prepare the country for new challenges. 

“It seems to me we can save a whole lot of money, a whole lot of pain for our constituents, if we build back, rebuild it back in a better way,” Biden said. “I realize I’m selling as I’m talking.”

With inputs from the Associated Press