State And Federal Assistance Approved For Hazard Mitigation Projects In Terrebonne Parish
Release Date: November 1, 2007
Release Number: 1603-743
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HOUMA, La. -- The Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA), the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently announced approval of more than $500,000 in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to acquire four severe repetitive loss properties located in Terrebonne Parish.
"By acquiring these flood prone homes the state's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is working to reduce damage from future storms and providing these homeowners with an opportunity to rebuild safer," said LRA Board Member Tim Coulon.
These structures are on the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) severe repetitive loss list of residential structures with excessive flood loss. As defined by the NFIP, severe repetitive loss homes have suffered damages of $1,000 or more on at least four occasions or suffered damages of more than 50 percent of their value on two or more occasions. About 1,700 homes, or about one-third of the severely and repetitively damaged homes in America, are located in Louisiana.
Louisiana's hazard mitigation program is supported by local, state, federal and citizen partnerships. As with all acquisitions made through this program, these property owners have expressed an interest in selling their properties to the parish and have signed voluntary participation forms. The decision to buy damaged property is made by the local government and property owners, and these acquisitions are consistent with Louisiana's overall mitigation strategy.
Once the acquisition project is approved by the state and FEMA, the community uses federal funds to purchase the homes. The land is then restricted to open space, recreation or wetlands in perpetuity. After the local governments become the new owners of these properties, they become responsible for all maintenance and upkeep. These properties will no longer be eligible for any future federal disaster assistance.
"It can be difficult for people to leave their homes, especially if they have been severely damaged by a disaster," said Jim Stark, director of FEMA's Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office. "Acquisition offers homeowners the opportunity to rebuild their lives in a safer place."
Hazard mitigation is one of the state's top priorities. In November 2005, the LRA authorized the release of $250 million to help parishes prevent damage from future disasters. In accordance with the State Hazard Mitigation Program, the LRA directed GOHSEP to distribute the first hazard mitigation funding available after hurricanes Katrina and Rita to parish governments. To access hazard mitigation funds through the state HMGP program, parishes submit proposals to GOHSEP. The funds, which are provided under the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, require a 25 percent match from parish governments or state agencies.
Approved by GOHSEP and FEMA, hazard mitigation projects enable communities to take actions to reduce or eliminate long-term risks to people and property from natural hazards and their effects. Projects eligible for HMGP funds include structure elevation, wind retrofitting of facilities, property acquisition, planning, mitigated reconstruction and safe room installation. Projects must fit within the state's and local governments' overall mitigation strategy and comply with HMGP guidelines.
When projects are obligated by FEMA through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, the funds are transferred to a Smartlink account. This allows the grantee, GOSHEP, to draw down the funds as quickly as possible. The state may require additional information from the subgrantee before disbursing the funds.
Approximately $1.1 billion in HMGP funds are currently assigned to support eligible mitigation activities homeowners can complete via the state's Road Home Hazard Mitigation program. The process by which these mitigation activities may be fundable has been approved by FEMA, however each property must be verified eligible prior to FEMA funds being awarded. The state's Office of Community Development is the applicant for this HMGP project. In the coming weeks, affected homeowners will be contacted by OCD with information regarding the next step.
A congressionally mandated study conducted for FEMA revealed that mitigation saves society an average of $4 for every dollar spent. Such defensive, preventative mitigation measures learned and implemented by Louisianians will contribute to a national floodplain management plan that saves taxpayers an estimated $1.1 billion per year by preventing flood damages.
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: Thursday, 01-Nov-2007 13:35:51