By The Numbers: FEMA Recovery Update in Louisiana
Release Date: March 16, 2006
Release Number: 1603-403
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) remains heavily engaged in long-term hurricane recovery efforts in partnership with the State of Louisiana. Attached is a 'by the numbers’ progress update as of March 14, 2006, six months following Hurricane Katrina and five months after Hurricane Rita.
| 2 | Hurricanes Katrina and Rita were two of the most intense hurricanes ever recorded during the Atlantic Hurricane Season, both making landfall in Louisiana. Both Katrina and Rita intensified to Category 5 storms while in the Gulf Coast before making landfall as Category 3 storms. Katrina made landfall on Aug. 29 and Rita followed almost one month later on Sept. 24. |
| 559 | To date 559 vessels, under a federally funded mission assignment by FEMA, have been removed by the U.S. Coast Guard. |
| 3,010 | There are 3,010 federal housing units occupied by hurricane evacuees in the State of Louisiana alone. Federal housing or housing vouchers from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and others were offered to displaced hurricane victims. |
| 9,425 | The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved 9,425 disaster assistance loans for business owners. Total: $858.6 million. |
| 49,000 | FEMA's Disaster Medical Assistance Teams, part of the immediate response and working for a record number of days into the recovery, provided care to 49,000 patients. The teams gave 65,000 immunizations and provided crisis counseling to 5,800 individuals, as well as other medical services. Crisis counseling continues today through state programs reimbursed by FEMA. |
| 58,814 | LA Swift, the free emergency bus system between Baton Rouge and New Orleans for displaced residents, has served 58,814 passengers. It has operated seven daily round trips since October 31, 2005. |
| 81,241 | More than 81,000 damaged roofs that have been temporarily covered under FEMA's "Blue Roof" program, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The program allows families to remain in their homes as they rebuild. |
| 730,742 | More than 730,742 Louisiana residents have been served by FEMA's Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) located in the state. DRC's are one-stop information centers where victims can learn more about state and federal disaster assistance available to them, including loans from the for homeowners, renters and business owners. Currently, 15 DRCs are operating in the state, down from a peak of 89 DRCs. |
| 1.4 million | FEMA has completed more than 1.4 million housing inspections in Louisiana. The inspection process includes a complete overview for structural damage. The inspector will record all disaster-related damages to the home. A survey of damaged personal property, clothing and vehicles may also be conducted. |
| 36.4 million | The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, along with private contractors working for some Louisiana Parishes, have removed more than 36.4 million cubic yards of debris. |
| $165 million | FEMA approved more than $165 million in disaster unemployment assistance for 108,149 eligible hurricane victims in Louisiana who signed up during the application period. |
| $1.2 billion | In Louisiana, individual assistance totaling more than $1.2 billion has been distributed for Other Needs Assistance. This program provides assistance for serious, disaster-related needs to impacted individuals, such as dental, transportation replacement costs, and other serious needs. |
| $1.4 billion | More than $1.4 billion in federal dollars has already been allocated for Public Assistance (PA) projects, such as debris removal and emergency services in Louisiana, equaling the amount allocated for PA grants in Florida in the eight months following four hurricanes that hit the state in the 2004 hurricane season. |
| $3 billion | The SBA has approved more than $3 billion in disaster assistance loans to 45,275 homeowners and renters in Louisiana. |
| $3.5 billion | FEMA has paid out $3.5 billion in financial housing assistance to Louisiana victims, in the form of rental assistance and home repair reimbursement grants. |
| $4.6 billion | FEMA has provided more than $4.6 billion directly to Louisiana victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita for housing and other needs assistance through the Individuals and Households Program (IHP). This is more than the $1.2 billion used for IHP after the 2004 Florida hurricanes. |
| $12.4 billion | To date, FEMA has paid out $12.4 billion under the National Flood Insurance Program to policyholders in Louisiana. |
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: Thursday, 16-Mar-2006 09:16:07