On Friday, September 9, 2016, Louisiana Economic Development (LED) issued a flood damages assessment estimating that the historic August 2016 flood caused Louisiana businesses $2 billion in damages.
At peak, LED estimates that 278,500 Louisiana residents were unable to work due to temporary closures, suspension of operations, transportation impasses, and residential flooding.
LED commissioned the study to evaluate federal appropriations needed from Congress. The assessment calculated that approximately 20,000 Louisiana businesses were interrupted by the flood, which began August 11.