Update: Louisiana Aid Deadline Looms, 153,000 Have Applied 

Release Date: November 22, 2002
Release Number: 1437-138

» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Lili

Baton Rouge, LA -- As the mandatory Dec. 2 registration deadline looms nearer, disaster recovery officials report a continuing outflow of federal-state disaster funds to help Louisiana residents recover from the hardship and loss resulting from Tropical Storm Isidore and Hurricane Lili.

Carlos Mitchell, federal coordinating officer urged any residents with uninsured disaster-related losses to register for disaster assistance before the 60-day application period expires on Mon. Dec 2.

"Our toll-free registration line, 800-621-FEMA, will close Wed. Nov. 27 at 2 p.m. (CST) for Thanksgiving and reopen Friday so residents really only have 7 working days to keep their assistance option open," Mitchell said. Speech or hearing-impaired residents should call (TTY/TDD) 800-462-7585. For the final application week the lines are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon. through Sat. (except as noted above).

Residents in 39 parishes declared eligible due to damage caused by Tropical Storm Isidore or Hurricane Lili may apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and state recovery aid including grants for emergency disaster housing and essential repairs, individual and family grants for necessities not covered by insurance or other sources and low-interest loans from the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

State Coordinating Officer Art Jones said that more than $18.6 million in new aid was approved and 10,421 new registrations were recorded in the latest weekly reporting period, Nov.15 through Nov. 21. Jones said 153,197 residents have signed up for a wide variety of recovery programs. To date, $156,186,245 has been approved in the form of grants and SBA loans.

A snapshot of individual assistance (IA) recovery totals: (through COB, Thurs. Nov.21)

Last Modified: Friday, 25-Apr-2003 10:30:01