UPDATE: Gov. John Bel Edwards reports that President Donald Trump has approved the major disaster declaration.

“I appreciate President Trump’s quick action on my request for a Major Disaster Declaration, which will pave the way for getting aid to individuals and communities impacted by Hurricane Laura in Louisiana,” he said. “The devastation and damage stretch from Southwest Louisiana all the way through North Louisiana, with more than a half a million power outages remaining, tens of thousands of people displaced from their homes and, sadly, at least 10 lives lost.”

ORIGINAL POST: WASHINGTON, D.C. (KLFY) — Louisiana’s congressional delegation has sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to declare a major disaster in the wake of Hurricane Laura.

The letter follows Gov. John Bel Edwards formal request for the same declaration, which would include the parishes of Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Bienville, Calcasieu, Caldwell, Cameron, Catahoula, Claiborne, Grant, Jackson, Jeff Davis, LaSalle, Lincoln, Nachitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Red River, Sabine, Union, Vermilion, Vernon and Winn.

Download and read the entire letter below: