Additional Parishes Now Eligible For Disaster Aid
Release Date: October 18, 2002
Release Number: 1435-65
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Baton Rouge, LA -- Eight more Louisiana parishes have been declared eligible for federal and state disaster assistance by Director Joe M. Allbaugh of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). That raises the total to 36.
Aid could be in the form of low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) or by direct funding from FEMA, Allbaugh said.
He said residents of the declared parishes might seek home and business repair loans from the SBA, or from the state if the applicant fails to meet SBA standards, and home repair or rental assistance from FEMA..
The action followed a request for extension of disaster aid by Gov. Mike Foster.
Parishes added are Allen, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, St. Helena, Pointe Coupee, Rapides, Washington and West Baton Rouge.
Residents who had losses resulting from Hurricane Lili now can register for assistance by calling FEMA's toll-free Helpline number, 800-621-FEMA (3362). For those with hearing or speech impairments, the number is (TTY) 800-462-7585.
Ten more parishes also were declared eligible for public assistance and added to the 33 already so designated, bringing the total to 43. FEMA's public assistance programs apply only to local and state governments and to certain non-profit agencies.
These added parishes are Allen, Caldwell, Catahoula, East Feliciana, La Salle, Ouachita, St. Helena, Vernon, Washington and West Feliciana.
The declaration covers damage to private property from heavy rains and flooding spawned by Lili, which began affecting southern Louisiana October 1.
Last Modified: Thursday, 24-Jul-2003 16:43:11