FEMA Weekly News In Review 

Release Date: November 18, 2005
Release Number: 1603-163

» 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 period of Nov. 12 to Nov. 18, 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.

DISASTER ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR NON-CITIZENS
(Release date: Nov. 12, 2005)

Federal and state officials will offer hurricane disaster victims who are not U.S. citizens certain types of disaster assistance. Regardless of immigration status, all individuals impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita are eligible for non-cash emergency food, water, medical care, shelter, clothing and other urgent disaster-related needs from FEMA. Eligibility for additional aid will vary depending on the individual’s immigration status in the United States and other factors. To receive assistance, individuals must first register by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or go online at www.fema.gov. Hearing- or speech-impaired individuals can call TTY 1-800-462-7585.

FEMA AND STATE SCHEDULE BRIEFINGS FOR LOCAL OFFICIALS
ON HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM
(Release date: Nov. 14, 2005)

FEMA and the state of Louisiana are holding briefings for local officials to explain the process of applying for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for mitigation projects. The briefings
started Monday, Nov. 14, 2005.

The HMGP reduces the loss of life and property in future disasters by funding mitigation measures during and after the recovery phase of a natural disaster. Eligible applicants include: states, local governments, Indian tribes, and certain private non-profit organizations. Individuals or businesses cannot apply directly to the state or FEMA, but eligible local governments or private non-profit applicants can apply on their behalf.

HOUSING UPDATE
(Release Date: Nov. 14, 2005)

As of Nov.11, in Louisiana there were 14,465 total units including, 8,375 travel trailers and mobile homes on private, industry, group and commercial sites occupied; 2,335 units on cruise ships are occupied; 935 FEMA-leased hotel rooms are occupied, and 2,820 units of federal housing provided by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are now occupied.

There are also several housing sites under construction throughout Louisiana. Crews are working to complete sites in various parishes including Calcasieu, Orleans, St. Bernard, Jefferson and East Baton Rouge.

ANGIE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL IS FIRST TO RECEIVE PORTABLE CLASSROOMS
(Release date: Nov. 15, 2005)

Angie Junior High School in Angie, Louisiana, will be among the first in the state to attend class in portable rooms. The school received significant damage when Hurricane Katrina knocked a large tree onto the roof of a permanent four-classroom building which forced officials to seek alternative locations to teach.

To commemorate the arrival of the four modular buildings, disaster-recovery officials and representatives of the school held a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers oversaw site preparation and installation and is active in similar projects all around the state.

LOUISIANA HURRICANE RECOVERY – LARGE PROJECT UPDATE
(Release date: Nov. 15, 2005)

FEMA and state officials have announced funding for several large public projects in Louisiana. The grants are part of ongoing federal reimbursements to state and local government agencies and certain non-profit agencies that provide essential government-like services for disaster-related expenses. The grants will continue until all eligible costs have been reimbursed. To date, FEMA has distributed more than $980 million to the state of Louisiana. The state will forward the money to the sub-grantees. Some of the reimbursements included: St. Tammany Parish, $87.8 million; New Orleans sewage and water, $13.9 million; East Baton Rouge Parish, $8.7 million; and Louisiana Department of Public Safety, $5.9 million.

LOUISIANA DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS TO CLOSE ON THANKSGIVING
(Release date: Nov. 16, 2005)

FEMA and the state of Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness announced all Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) throughout the state of Louisiana will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, Nov. 24.

FEMA currently operates 50 Disaster Recovery Centers in Louisiana, where individuals affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita can meet face-to-face with recovery specialists. All Louisiana DRCs will reopen at 9 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 25.

MONROE MOBILE DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER MOVING TO NEW LOCATION
(Release date: Nov. 16, 2005)

FEMA and state officials announced the moving of the mobile Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) serving Ouachita Parish, in Monroe, to the Community Action Program Office at 315 Plum St. Monroe, LA. 71202.

VIDALIA DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER TO CLOSE ON SUNDAYS
(Release date: Nov. 17, 2005)

FEMA and the Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness announced the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Vidalia, serving Concordia Parish, will close on Sundays beginning Nov. 20.

The Vidalia DRC joins 27 others open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Twenty-two other recovery centers will continue to operate seven days a week until further notice.

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, 18-Nov-2005 16:50:39