VILLE PLATTE, La (KLFY) – Louisiana’s First Lady made her way to Acadiana Friday morning to speak with flood victims at several area shelters.

The Ville Platte Civic Center was one of three stops on First Lady Donna Edwards list. There she spoke with flood victims to give them some type of encouragement during this tough time.

“Let us know what we can do to help and like I said, FEMA’s on the way,” said First Lady Edwards to the crowd of flood victims.

First Lady Edwards spent the day thanking volunteers for their support, and letting flood victims know that help is coming.

“Just know that the Governor’s working around the clock right now with FEMA, with all the other officials at the national level, and bringing in as much support as he can,” said First Lady Edwards.

For that reason, Ville Platte Mayor Jennifer Vidrine, says she’s thankful for the support from government officials for Evangeline Parish to be declared a FEMA disaster area.

“We’ve had so many have water in their homes and so many don’t have the income and the means or the insurance, so you and your husband have been a tremendous, tremendous blessing,” said Mayor Vidrine to First Lady Edwards.

Mayor Vidrine says about 400 homes across the parish were affected by flooding.

“A lot of the people lost everything they had,” said Mayor Vidrine.

“The devastation is unbelievable and there’s really no way anybody could’ve prepared for this,” said First Lady Edwards.

Which has led to the opening of the Ville Platte Civic Center as a flood relief location.

“We are registering people for FEMA and also for the disaster food stamps. Also, this is a place where people can drop off donations and also our people are picking up supplies,” said Mayor Vidrine.

Susan Mathauer is one of more than 600 people who has been served at the center.

“We never expected this, never,” said Mathauer. “It’s just not something you expect.”

Mayor Vidrine says they will continue to collect items for the flood victims at the Ville Platte Civic Center until further notice.

First Lady Edwards also visited with flood victims in the cities of Opelousas and Crowley.