Parish added to list of disaster areas

Evangeline Parish has been added to the list parishes declared as a major disaster.
Governor John Bel Edwards announced Tuesday that a total of 20 parishes, up from the previous number of 12, have now received the federal declaration of being a major disaster, including Evangeline Parish.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate approved the increased declaration during a visit Tuesday to our flood-stricken state with Gov. Edwards.
“This is a historic flooding incident in Louisiana,” Edwards said. “We are working around the clock to get every available resource into the hands of the people of our state. No one will be forgotten as we continue to assess the damage. I will continue to work with the federal government, as well as state, local, and federal partners, to make sure the resources we need are on the ground as soon as possible.”
The following parishes that have now received a federal declaration includes: Acadia, Ascension, Avoyelles, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Tammany, Tanigpahoa, Vermilion, Washington and West Feliciana.
On Sunday, August 14, Gov. Edwards requested that President Barack Obama declare a major disaster for the parishes. Additional parishes will continuously be added to the declaration on a rolling basis.
Gov. Edwards also issued an Executive Order Tuesday.
In a press release, Chief Justice Bernette Joshua Johnson announced that Gov. Edwards issued an Executive Order JBE 2016-53 suspending all deadlines applicable to legal proceedings, including prescription and preemption, in all Louisiana state courts, administrative agencies and boards.
“In this time of disastrous disruption of Louisiana citizens’ lives, services, and the infrastructure of the justice system, this emergency suspension of deadlines in state legal, administrative and regulatory proceedings is certainly a welcome relief for members of the Louisiana Bar, their clients and all those with pending matters,” Chief Justice Johnson said in the release.
The Executive Order is effective from Friday, August 12, 2016, through, Friday, September 9, unless amended, modified, terminated, or rescinded by the Governor, or terminated by operation of law.