Taylor Swift is donating $1m to Louisiana flood relief after https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/aug/16/louisiana-flood-damage-recovery in the state and killed at least 11 people.
Swift told the Associated Press on Tuesday that Louisiana residents graciously welcomed her when she kicked off the US dates of her 1989 World Tour in the state last year.
“We began the 1989 tour in Louisiana, and the wonderful fans there made us feel completely at home. The fact that so many people in Louisiana have been forced out of their own homes this week is heartbreaking,” the 26-year-old said in a statement.
The flooding is some of the worst in Louisiana’s history, having damaged at least 40,000 homes. More than 60,000 people have registered for disaster aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency after widespread flooding hit the state, according to Louisiana governor John Bel Edwards’s office.
“I encourage those who can to help out and send your love and prayers their way during this devastating time,” Swift said.
More than 30,000 people have been rescued since Friday, with more being brought to safety by the hour. The National Weather Service has described the flooding, during which rivers burst their banks after several days of rain, as “a thousand-year disaster”.
