FEMA Funds Surpass $9 Billion Mark for Gulf Coast Recovery
Release Date: January 2, 2008
Release Number: 1603-756
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NEW ORLEANS, La. -- Gulf Coast communities devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita are rebuilding with more than $9 billion in Public Assistance grants provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). State and local governments in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas are using these FEMA Public Assistance funds for a variety of repair and reconstruction projects, like damaged schools, roads, utilities and reconstituting other critical infrastructure.
"This is an unprecedented funding level in our nation's history of responding to natural disasters," said Gil Jamieson, FEMA's Associate Deputy Administrator for Gulf Coast Recovery. Over the past 27 months FEMA has funded over 72,000 projects across these four states. Of the $9 billion provided to date, nearly $4 billion has been provided since the 1st anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, including $1.6 billion obligated in 2007. "The discussions about rebuilding need to shift away from the pace of funding and focus on the bricks and mortar aspect of rebuilding. I'm very pleased that FEMA has been and will continue to be a strong partner with the states and local governments in restoring their communities," Jamieson concluded.
Through the Public Assistance Grant Program, FEMA reimburses state and local governments and certain eligible private nonprofit organizations for the actual costs for work required because of the disaster. Eligible projects include damaged roads and bridges, water control facilities, public buildings and their contents, publicly owned utilities and parks and recreation areas. The Public Assistance Grant Program also includes funds for emergency services and eligible debris-removal costs related to the disaster.
Public Assistance funds disbursed to each state are as follows:
Alabama - PA funds obligated to state: $112 million
Louisiana - PA funds obligated to state: $5.73 billion
Mississippi - PA funds obligated to state: $2.35 billion
Texas - PA funds paid to state: $926 million
The Gulf Coast Recovery Office coordinates FEMA's recovery and mitigation programs in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas as they recover from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
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, 08-Jan-2008 15:37:29