Storm central

FEMA prepares for more emergencies

Reaction and aftermath

While rain fell Monday in parts of Texas devastated by floods, the White House and federal emergency officials began turning their focus to Louisiana, where Tropical Storm Harvey appears headed next.

President Trump declared several parishes in southwestern Louisiana federal disaster areas Monday and said he may visit storm-damaged areas in the state Saturday.

Trump is scheduled Tuesday to visit areas in Texas hit hard by Harvey, which came ashore Friday night as a Category 4 hurricane. The president said he might return to the region Saturday and stop by Louisiana.

“It is a historic amount of water. … There’s never been anything like it,’’ Trump said of the flooding in Texas. “We’ll be there for the people of Louisiana also.”

Brock Long, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, cautioned Louisiana residents Monday to heed the instructions of local and state officials. “They are being threatened,” Long said Monday after a briefing at FEMA headquarters in Washington.

Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said he welcomed a visit by Trump and the attention of federal officials.

“It’s important that the president show that he’s on top of this,’’ Kennedy said. “I think so far ... the administration has done a great job. It’s not over yet. We’ve learned from past experiences to take these disasters seriously.’’

Kennedy said he’s talked to Vice President Pence and several Cabinet members, including Elaine Duke, the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, about the storm. He has also talked to FEMA officials.

Kennedy said he’s been impressed with the response of federal, state and local officials.

“Every indication I have is we’re ready,” he said.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said he expects “significant damage” in the state and asked Trump on Sunday night for the declaration. He praised Trump in a tweet for responding quickly.

“In all likelihood the worst is yet to come for Louisiana,” Edwards said Monday.