Chennault International Airport on Path to Recovery
Release Date: September 19, 2007
Release Number: 1603-718
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LAKE CHARLES, La. -- The Chennault International Airport, which has about 900 employees onsite, is a vital component in southwestern Louisiana's economy. The damages of Hurricane Rita two years ago nearly put a stop to that as it tore off large chunks from the roofs of several hangers at the airport.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is helping to fund repairs to bring the airport back to its pre-hurricane condition. FEMA has paid to repair the damaged 18-year-old hangers, which serve as maintenance, storage and retrofitting facilities for large aircraft. In addition to the roofs, other damages included structural, electrical and mechanical.
One such hanger, Hanger C, is the largest hanger at the airport. Repairs on Hanger C are complete and the hanger re-opened normal operations in January 2007. The airport will have the last of its seven hangers reopen this December, which will put the airport back to full operational capacity.
"We couldn't have done it without FEMA," Chennault International Airport Authority Deputy Director Charles Harvey said. "It's allows us to get (the hangers) back to building code."
FEMA obligated $1.7 million to repair Hanger C. The airport's insurance policy also provided more than $5.3 million for repairs.
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 Chennault International Airport Authority, 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: Wednesday, 19-Sep-2007 08:16:42