Trump visits warehouse for storm relief supplies

Fresh off the Republican National Convention, US President Donald Trump flew to Louisiana on Saturday to survey the damage after Hurricane Laura, a trip that allows him to use the trappings of his office to try to project empathy and leadership. He is also to make a stop in Texas before returning to Washington.Trumps made first stop to a warehouse that's being used as a staging area for the The Cajun Navy Relief and Rescue effort.  The warehouse holds bottles of water, paper plates and other supplies.

The Cajun Navy Relief and Rescue are a volunteer group comprising private boat owners who assist in search and rescue efforts in Louisiana and adjacent areas.The president is making the trip two days after the Category 4 storm slammed the Gulf Coast, leaving at least 14 dead and wreaking havoc with severe winds and flooding. While the storm surge has receded and the cleanup effort has begun, hundreds of thousands remain without power or water, and they could for weeks or months as the hot summer stretches on.

White House spokesman Judd Deere said Trump wanted “to be with those who have been impacted by Hurricane Laura.” He is expected to survey storm damage and receive briefings on emergency operations and ongoing relief efforts.As Air Force One came in for landing in hard-hit Lake Charles, Trump got a bird's eye view of the extensive damage, the smashed houses, downed power lines and trees, and debris strewn across the city of 80,000 people.

(Image Credit: AP)