Waterworks Building in Cameron Parish Nears Completion 

Release Date: September 18, 2007
Release Number: 1603-716

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HACKBERRY, La. -- A critical utility to a Cameron Parish community should soon have back an essential resource, all with the help of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Cameron Parish's second district waterworks building is expected to reopen in October, which will allow its employees to move out of the FEMA-funded temporary facilities and into a permanent home. Construction began in May on this important water utility facility that serves the 1,700 people of Hackberry.

In September 2005, Hurricane Rita destroyed what was the waterworks administrative office and shop building for Hackberry. High winds tore off roof panels and damaged windows. Mud and debris saturated the interior. There also was more than two feet of standing water in the building following the storm, which caused mold to form.

These damages made the building eligible for replacement, and FEMA will pay the bill. One half of the waterworks facility consists of two offices, a kitchen, bathroom and storage area, while the other half is a workshop.

Cameron Parish Waterworks Superintendent Kelly Cloud said FEMA's assistance proved vital in rebuilding Hackberry and providing it the means to restore its water infrastructure.

"We didn't have the resources to put our community back together," he said. "We would not be here (if it wasn't for FEMA). We would be back in the Stone Age. Everybody with FEMA has been fantastic."

FEMA has obligated approximately $225,000 for replacing the building. When projects are obligated by FEMA through its supplemental Public Assistance grant, the funds are transferred to a Smartlink account. This allows the applicant, in this case the Cameron Parish Waterworks, to work with the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness as quickly as possible to access the reimbursement monies. The state may require additional documentation from the applicant before disbursing the funds. Obligated funds may change over time as the project worksheet is a living grant that is often adjusted as bids come in and scope of work is aligned.

The Public Assistance program works with state and local officials to fund recovery measures and the rebuilding of government and certain private nonprofit organizations' buildings, as well as roads, bridges and water and sewer plants. In order for the process to be successful, federal, state and local partners coordinate to draw up project plans, fund these projects and oversee their completion.

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: Tuesday, 18-Sep-2007 09:04:52