Hurricane Katrina/Rita Recovery Operations Resume 

Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office to begin hurricanes Gustav and Ike recovery operations Sunday

Release Date: September 19, 2008
Release Number: 1603-807

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NEW ORLEANS, La. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office (LATRO) has resumed normal recovery operations for hurricanes Katrina and Rita and will begin Gustav and Ike recovery operations starting Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008.

"We want to get Louisiana's recovery from Katrina and Rita back on track as quickly as possible. Many families, state and local governments and nonprofits continue to rebuild after the 2005 hurricanes. Now, unfortunately, more of Louisiana's citizens suffered from hurricanes Gustav and Ike," said LATRO Director Jim Stark. "The faster we can resume our operations, the quicker Louisiana can recover and return to normal."

The LATRO guides recovery operations in Louisiana for all three of FEMA's program areas: Individual Assistance, Public Assistance and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

To date, Individual Assistance grants totaling more than $6.1 billion have helped homeowners and renters who were affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In addition, fewer than 9,500 families remain in temporary housing units after a peak of nearly 92,000 families. Under FEMA's Public Assistance Program, $7.1 billion in federal funds have been approved to address the needs of state and local governments and certain private non-profit agencies. There is a potential $1.47 billion in FEMA funds set aside for hazard mitigation projects in Louisiana.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 01-Oct-2008 12:29:32