Orleans Parish Still Rebuilding One Year after Katrina
Release Date: August 21, 2006
Release Number: 1603-538
» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Katrina
» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Rita
NEW ORLEANS, La. -- One year after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in the largest natural disaster in United States history, the Public Assistance division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is still working non-stop to assist in the rebuilding of schools, hospitals, jails and fire and police stations in Orleans Parish.
As of August 2006, a total of $455 million has been obligated for Orleans parish applicants, including schools, hospitals, community centers, playground and utility companies; and more than 9.4 million cubic yards of debris have been removed.
Orleans Parish Communications District (OPCD) was obligated funding in the amount of $2.3 million to provide emergency equipment and supplies for the 911 Call Center in New Orleans . Both the police headquarters and the secondary center, which housed fire and EMS personnel, were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. A temporary center had to be established immediately. The money is for headsets, workstations, hardware and software, first-aid materials, generators and other supplies, as well as extra personnel.
Other well-known projects obligated by FEMA include $1.6 million for the Audubon Zoo (both the Aquarium of the Americas and the Species Survival Center ), and more than $111 million for the Superdome.
FEMA obligated money for many more Orleans Parish projects, including $1.2 million for the rebuilding of the Joe Brown Community Center; and $1.2 million for Children's Hospital for new labs, equipment, MRIs and medical supplies. In addition, FEMA Public Assistance employees work with the state, local governments and certain non-profit agencies to assess damages and provide technical assistance.
FEMA obligates funding for these projects directly to the state. It is the state's responsibility to ensure that eligible sub-grantees receive these awards. Following the state's review process and upon receipt of appropriate documentation, they will provide funds to the sub-grantees on a reimbursable basis.
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, 21-Aug-2006 09:57:47