Taylor Swift Donating $1 Million to Louisiana Flood Victims

Taylor Swift Donating $1 Million to Louisiana Flood Victims
FILE - In this April 3, 2016 file photo, Taylor Swift arrives at the iHeartRadio Music Awards at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif. Swift is donating $1 million to Louisiana after torrential rains caused massive flooding in the state and killed at least 11 people. Swift told The Associated Press on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016, that the community in Louisiana "made us feel completely at home" when she and her touring crew kicked off the U.S. dates of her "1989 World Tour" in the state last year. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)
The Associated Press
8/17/2016
Updated:
8/17/2016

NEW YORK—Taylor Swift is donating $1 million to Louisiana flood relief after torrential rains caused massive flooding 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 U.S. dates of her “1989 World Tour” in the state last year.

“We began The 1989 World 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 history, damaging 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 Gov. John Bel Edwards’ office.

Motorists try to navigate deep water flowing over a road in Walker, La., Monday, Aug. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Max Becherer)
Motorists try to navigate deep water flowing over a road in Walker, La., Monday, Aug. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Max Becherer)
The Louisiana National Guard transports people out of flood hit areas around Walker , La., Monday, Aug. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Max Becherer)
The Louisiana National Guard transports people out of flood hit areas around Walker , La., Monday, Aug. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Max Becherer)
Dee Vazquez, from left, helps Georgette Centelo and her grandfather Lawrence Roberts after they tried to recover their belongings from a family mobile home in Central, north of Baton Rouge, La., Monday, Aug. 15, 2016. (David Grunfeld/NOLA.com The Times-Picayune via AP)
Dee Vazquez, from left, helps Georgette Centelo and her grandfather Lawrence Roberts after they tried to recover their belongings from a family mobile home in Central, north of Baton Rouge, La., Monday, Aug. 15, 2016. (David Grunfeld/NOLA.com The Times-Picayune via AP)

“I encourage those who can to help out and send your love and prayers their way during this devastating time,” Swift said.

Over 30,000 people have been rescued since Friday, with more being brought to safety by the hour.

Emergency responders and medics prepare a patient for an air evacuation after he was rescued from rising floodwater near Walker, La., after heavy rains inundated the region, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016. (AP Photo/Max Becherer)
Emergency responders and medics prepare a patient for an air evacuation after he was rescued from rising floodwater near Walker, La., after heavy rains inundated the region, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016. (AP Photo/Max Becherer)
Danielle Blount carries her 3-month-old baby Ember to a truck from the Louisiana Army National Guard as they evacuate the area near Walker, La., after heavy rains inundated the region, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016. (AP Photo/Max Becherer)
Danielle Blount carries her 3-month-old baby Ember to a truck from the Louisiana Army National Guard as they evacuate the area near Walker, La., after heavy rains inundated the region, Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016. (AP Photo/Max Becherer)