More Than $3 Million Approved For Slidell Reconstruction Project
Release Date: January 27, 2009
Release Number: 1603-832
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SLIDELL, La. -- Twenty residential structures in Slidell, La. that were substantially damaged by hurricanes Katrina and Rita will be rebuilt higher than before, announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA).
"These homeowners have decided to take full advantage of FEMA's key flood prevention program, our Hazard Mitigation Grant Program," said Jim Stark, director of FEMA's Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office. "By utilizing federal grant funds to reconstruct their homes to a higher elevation, they will have peace of mind knowing that they have greatly reduced their risk of flooding again."
FEMA has obligated more than $3 million in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding to rebuild and elevate these structures so that they comply with Advisory Base Flood Elevation (ABFE) requirements.
"These projects meet Louisiana's goal of mindful rebuilding and will help displaced residents re-establish neighborhoods and strengthen their community," Paul Rainwater, LRA executive director said. "Coupled with our other mitigation efforts, this project is part of the largest home elevation process in American history, which we have undertaken in our effort to ensure safe rebuilding."
The city of Slidell submitted the 20 properties to the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) for consideration for HMGP funding. GOHSEP, in turn, accepted the application and submitted it to FEMA on behalf of the applicant. When projects are obligated by FEMA through HMGP, the funds are transferred to a federal Smartlink account. Once the funds have reached this account, the applicant can request reimbursement from GOHSEP for eligible work completed.
Although other mitigation alternatives were considered, reconstruction was found to be the most appropriate measure in this instance. This proposed project will protect homes and bring cost savings to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through reduced flood insurance claims. It will also reduce health and safety risks to homeowners and potential rescue workers. The project should be completed within the next three years.
HMGP provides grants to states and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures after a major disaster declaration to reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters and to enable mitigation measures to be implemented during the immediate recovery from a disaster.
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: Thursday, 29-Jan-2009 12:37:44