FEMA Weekly News In Review 

Release Date: December 2, 2005
Release Number: 1603-194

» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Katrina
» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Rita

BATON ROUGE, La. -- The following is a summary of important information released during the week of Nov. 26 to Dec. 1, 2005, by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from the Louisiana Joint Field Office for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

FEMA ASSISTS HURRICANE IMPACTED RESIDENTS IN ELEVEN LANGUAGES
(Release date: Nov. 26, 2005)

FEMA has played a significant role in assisting hurricane-impacted residents in a multitude of languages and dialects. Presently, FEMA has teams in disaster-affected communities speaking English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Creole, Chinese (Mandarin), Cambodian, Korean, Laotian, Armenian, Greek and Hindi. Registration specialists can assist English and Spanish speaking people instantly when they call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or for speech and hearing impaired 1-800-462-7585 to register for assistance.

OPENINGS AND CLOSINGS OF DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS WITHIN THE WEEK
(Release date: Nov. 26, 28, 2005 and Dec. 1, 2005)

FEMA and local officials announced the closing of Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) in Franklinton and New Iberia and the opening of DRC’s in Orleans and Jefferson Parish.

RESIDENTS IN TEMPORARY DISASTER HOUSING MUST AGREE TO RULES
(Release Date: Nov. 28, 2005)

FEMA has a standardized process for those entering the housing program. A key part of the process for residents is agreeing to rules of occupancy. FEMA requires the resident to sign an agreement complying with the rules of living in a FEMA travel trailer. The agreement says residents must keep the trailer and surrounding area clean; they must obey the laws and not commit crimes while living in the units provided by FEMA.

LOUISIANA HURRICANE RECOVERY – LARGE PROJECT UPDATE
(Release date: Nov. 28, 2005)

FEMA and local officials announced grant funding for several large public projects in Louisiana such as Individual Assistance, Federal Housing and Cruise Ships. The grants are part of an ongoing federal reimbursement to state and local government agencies and certain non-profit agencies providing essential government-like services for disaster-related expenses.

LOUISIANA WEEKLY HOUSING UPDATE
(Release date: Nov. 28, 2005)

FEMA and the State of Louisiana’s urgent priority is providing temporary housing. To date, the total number of temporary housing ready for occupancy exceeds 46,500 units throughout the affected Gulf States. There are also several housing sites under construction throughout Louisiana. Crews are working
continuously to complete these sites in various parishes including St. Charles, Calcasieu, Orleans, St. Bernard, Jefferson and East Baton Rouge.

PROPERTY INSPECTIONS CRUCIAL STEP IN DISASTER RECOVERY
(Release date: Nov. 29, 2005)

FEMA and local officials remind residents that property inspections are a necessity, not a luxury. Safety remains the most important reason for an inspection; however, property inspections are necessary to determine eligibility for disaster assistance.

HARAHAN RECEIVES $125,189 COMMUNITY DISASTER LOAN PAYMENT FROM FEMA
(Release date: Dec. 1, 2005)

FEMA disbursed $125,189 to the city of Harahan in Jefferson Parish on Dec. 1. The money will assist Harahan in providing essential services as it recovers from Hurricane Katrina. This disbursement is the first of a total $965,525 Community Disaster Loan (CDL) Harahan will receive.

ESF-2 DEMOBILIZES AFTER ASSISTING DISASTER VICTIMS WITH COMMUNICATION NEEDS
(Release date: Dec. 1, 2005)

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Emergency Support Function-2 (ESF-2) has played a very important role providing communication services to disaster victims during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Throughout the team’s deployment, ESF-2 made numerous contributions to the victims of this disaster. Some of the achievements include, embedding telecommunication experts into the most devastated parishes, providing a temporary 911 system and assisting Orleans Parish with getting 911equipment at a temporary location.

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program.

Last Modified: Friday, 02-Dec-2005 18:18:51