Parishes Benefit From FEMA Public Assistance Program
$355 million obligated to Rita area governments and non-profit organizations
Release Date: September 18, 2006
Release Number: 1607-553
» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Rita
LAKE CHARLES, La. -- One year after Hurricane Rita ripped through Louisiana, the Public Assistance (PA) program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has provided nearly $355 million in recovery aid to the area, and continues working on projects that range from schools and libraries to utility companies and roads and bridges.
Public Assistance is responsible for helping government agencies and certain private nonprofit entities recover from a disaster. The work is divided into two main areas: emergency work, which includes debris removal and reimbursement for overtime personnel, and permanent work, which includes the rebuilding of various facilities.
Nearly every parish in the southwestern part of the state was affected by Hurricane Rita, but those with the most total damage were Cameron, Calcasieu and Vermilion. The Cameron Parish Water District, for example, was obligated $2.7 million to re-establish water services throughout the parish. In addition, Cameron Parish schools were obligated $5.5 million to rebuild their facilities, and another $13.6 million was obligated to the parish for work on government buildings, fire and sheriff departments, street signs, and courthouses. So far, a total of $27.6 million in Public Assistance funds has been obligated for 13 eligible applicants in Cameron Parish. (All figures in this release are current through September 12, 2006.)
In Calcasieu Parish, the city of Lake Charles was hit particularly hard by Rita, and FEMA has obligated $10.9 million for its rebuilding efforts. Most of this money will go towards rebuilding of parks, recreational facilities, fire and police stations, and the Lake Charles Civic Center. FEMA-obligated money totaling $6.1 million went to the City of Westlake for new speed limit signs, fleet vehicles, and water plant buildings, and another $15.9 million went to the schools in Calcasieu Parish. The Calcasieu Parish Airport was obligated more than $758,000 for new hangars, buildings and equipment, and Chennault International Airport Authority was obligated $3.3 million. So far, a total of $62.4 million in Public Assistance funds has been obligated for 65 eligible applicants in Calcasieu Parish.
FEMA has also obligated money to Vermilion Parish, including $310,000 to the parish's libraries for their locations in Pecan Island and Erath, among others, and to the City of Abbeville, which was obligated $627,000 for repairs to City Hall, replacement of street signs and a new electrical distribution center. So far, a total of $25.9 million in Public Assistance funds has been obligated for 30 eligible applicants in Vermilion Parish.
In Acadia Parish, FEMA has obligated $216,400 to Crowley for repairing city parks and recreation facilities, restoring government buildings to their pre-disaster condition, and repairing the marquee of the Rice Theater. Another $131,247 was obligated to Rayne for repairs to its utilities and to Gavel Street, and $97,914 was obligated to the parish sheriff's office for emergency equipment and overtime pay. So far, a total of $2.6 million in Public Assistance funds has been obligated for 18 eligible applicants.
FEMA has also obligated money to Beauregard Parish, including $317,600 to the Beauregard Parish Office of Homeland Security for emergency services, replacing a pistol range and replacing parts of the sheriff's training center. So far, a total of $1.6 million in Public Assistance funds has been obligated for 12 eligible applicants in Beauregard Parish.
FEMA has also obligated money to Lafayette Parish, including $3.5 million to the Lafayette Parish Consolidated Government for repairs to lift stations, a municipal golf course, the juvenile detention system and a train depot station. So far, a total of $4.3 million in Public Assistance funds has been obligated for 20 eligible applicants in Lafayette Parish.
In Jefferson Davis Parish, FEMA has obligated $952,000 for Welsh for new fire station doors, street signs and lights, and communications systems. So far, a total of $3.4 million in Public Assistance funds has been obligated for 21 eligible applicants in Jefferson Davis Parish.
Under the Public Assistance program, FEMA money is distributed to the state in the form of grants. Once the applicant is determined to be eligible by the state and FEMA, the state is responsible for distribution and oversight of the money.
FEMA's Public Assistance Program is one way federal assistance gets to the state and local governments and to certain private nonprofit organizations. These funds allow them to respond to disasters, to recover from their impact and to mitigate impact from future disasters. While this assistance is aimed at governments and organizations, the final goal is to help a community and all its citizens recover from devastating natural disasters.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Monday, 18-Sep-2006 15:42:19