Taylor Swift is donating $1 million to aid flood relief efforts in the state of Louisiana.

Recent floods have had catastrophic effects on the area, with at least 40,000 homes being damaged. The office of the Louisiana governor John Bel Edwards reports that more than 60,000 people have registered for disaster aid via the Federal Emergency Management Agency. At time of writing, at least 11 people have died.

In an official statement, Swift fondly recalled how last year she began her 1989 world tour in the state, and that "the wonderful fans there made us feel completely at home". She went on to describe the sheer scale of people losing their homes as "heartbreaking".

More than 30,000 people have been rescued from the flooding since Friday.

Swift added "I encourage those who can to help out and send your love and prayers their way during this devastating time."