John Bel Edwards: We’ve Requested a Prelim Emergency Disaster Declaration from Trump Ahead of Nate

EXCERPT:

CABRERA: "All right. Chad, we know you will stay on top of it. Thank you. Joining us on the phone the governor of Louisiana, John Bel Edwards. Governor, thank you for spending time with us. You just issued a state of emergency there in Louisiana. What are you doing besides that to now prepare for this storm?"
EDWARDS (via telephone): "Well, thank you, Ana. It's great to be with you and everyone watching. We've also requested from the president a pre-landfall emergency declaration for 17 parishes. We're waiting to hear back, but we have reason to believe that that request is going to be well received by the president. But we're working to make sure that everyone does not underestimate this storm, and that by dark tomorrow night, Saturday night, everyone is where they want to be and then the posture they need to be for this storm. You know, we don't know exactly how intense it's going to be, because once this storm moves over the warm waters of the gulf, intensification beyond the current modeling is possible, but even if it's a strong tropical storm or a Category 1, that is -- that presents a very real threat, especially to the low-lying areas because of the combination of rain and storm surge and wind. So, it's all three. We're working to make sure that everyone is paying attention and following the directions of the local authorities and so we are -- we believe we're adequately prepared but you never know exactly what mother nature is going to throw at you."