President Barack Obama is scheduled to travel to Baton Rouge, La., on Tuesday to get a firsthand look at the damage left by floods that have devastated the area.
According to the White House, Obama will hear from local officials about the response to the disaster and will talk about how the federal government can assist and also let the people of Louisiana know that the "American people will be with them as they rebuild their community and come back stronger than ever."
The president has faced criticism for not cutting short his vacation in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, in order to visit the flood-stricken areas. However, Press Secretary Josh Earnest said in a statement that the president has received updates on the situation in Louisiana from Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson and FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, who took separate trips there.
"The president is mindful of the impact that his travel has on first responders and wants to ensure that his presence does not interfere with ongoing recovery efforts," Earnest said in a statement Friday.