"President Trump is committed to deploying the full resources of the Federal Government to rescue those in distress, support those in the region affected and restore disruptions to our communities and infrastructure", the statement read.
The statement also warned residents to heed instructions from state and local officials in coping with storm hazards likely to persist long after the hurricane passes.
Officials warned of a life-threatening storm surge in Laura’s wake that could spread up to 40 miles inland, causing flash floods, severe damage and power outages.
More than 1.5 million residents of the two US states had been ordered to evacuate and up to a half-million homes were without power as the storm headed inland, according to local media.