Wrap-Up: Disaster Relief Puts $120 Million To Work In Louisiana 

Release Date: November 8, 2002
Release Number: 1435-123

» More Information on Louisiana Tropical Storm Isidore

Baton Rouge, LA -- The total of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and state funds committed for the Louisiana recovery effort for Tropical Storm Isidore and Hurricane Lili this week topped the $120 million mark.

As the recovery enters its second month, more than 133,500 eligible residents have signed up for FEMA/state recovery aid. Available assistance includes 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 SBA.

Carlos Mitchell, federal coordinating officer, said that $118.6 million in grants and loans has been approved for Louisiana applicants in 39 parishes declared eligible for Individual Assistance and a steady stream of assistance checks is going out daily.

In addition, more than $2 million in FEMA Public Assistance funding has been obligated to reimburse local governments for debris removal and emergency protective services including overtime. Other assistance to date includes more than $1 million for economic injury loans as well as funds for disaster-related unemployment and crisis counseling.

Art Jones, state coordinating officer, said that assistance checks to repair or rebuild after storm losses benefit area businesses as well as residents. "This aid indirectly helps local workers, contractors, and businesses get back on their feet when it's used to purchase needed supplies and services in a hard-hit community," Jones said.

Jones noted that the boost to the local economy made it all the more important that parish residents who suffered disaster-related damage register for assistance. "You won't be taking from anyone else," Jones said. "The money is there for all eligible losses, and can be put to work to help yourself and possibly help others."

The officials urged anyone who suffered damages or losses in federally designated parishes to call before Dec. 2, 800-621-FEMA or (TTY/TDD) 800-462-7585 for the speech or hearing impaired. The lines are open from 8a.m. to 6p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Here are some of the latest recovery program totals: (through COB, Thurs. Nov.8, 6 p.m.)

Applicants who have already registered and wish to update their contact information or inquire about state and federal programs may visit either of the two Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) or call the FEMA Helpline, also at 800-621-FEMA.

DRCs are located at: (Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mon.- Sat. until further notice).

Lafayette: Martin Luther King Center, 309 Cora Street, Lafayette, LA; and
Terrebonne/Lafourche: Courthouse Annex, 7856 Main St., Suite 100, Houma, LA.

Registrations by Parish: Total 133,158 (39 Parishes- Individual Assistance):
Acadia 3,905
Allen 297
Ascension 1,220
Assumption 1,301
Avoyelles 1,263
Beauregard 11
Calcasieu 109
Cameron 37
E. Baton Rouge 4,123
E. Feliciana 596
Evangeline 2,034
Grant* 45
Iberia 6,477
Iberville 1,277
Jefferson 12,032
Jefferson Davis 839
La Salle* 45
Lafayette 6,144
Lafourche 1,564
Livingston 17,131
Orleans
27,127
Ouachita* 74
Plaquemines 1,374
Pointe Coupee 1,338
Rapides 1,471
St. Bernard 1,459
St. Charles 1,394
St. Helena 1,001
St. James 1,429
St. John The Baptist 2,377
St. Landry 4,535
St. Martin 4,262
St. Mary 4,877
St. Tammany 2,821
Tangipahoa 5,947
Terrebonne 4,617
Vermilion 4,843
Washington 1,383
W. Baton Rouge 379
* Declared eligible Nov. 1

Last Modified: Thursday, 24-Jul-2003 15:29:05