FEMA And LRA Help Protect New Orleans Homes
Release Date: March 11, 2009
Release Number: 1603-842
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NEW ORLEANS, La. -- Flooding has severely and repetitively damaged about 1,700 homes in Louisiana. To continue the fight against these reoccurring events, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) are helping an additional 48 families in Orleans Parish elevate and wind retrofit their homes.
"The funding FEMA is providing in this instance will meet a two-fold objective," said Tony Russell, acting director of FEMA's Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office. "First of all, the owners of these residences will rest easier knowing that their homes are much less vulnerable to flooding and strong winds. Secondly, in providing funding to mitigate both future flood and wind damage, FEMA once again underscores its commitment to working closely with the state and the city to rebuild local communities better than before."
FEMA has released $9.5 million of a $23 million Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) project to cover the costs of elevating these structures to the Advisory Base Flood Elevation (ABFE) level or Base Flood Elevation (BFE) level, whichever is higher. These residential properties will also be retrofitted against high wind hazards to protect them from future storms.
"This investment will help families not only to recover from the effects of Katrina but will also protect their homes against the threat of future storms," LRA Executive Director Paul Rainwater said. "It is important for all of Louisiana's citizens in coastal regions to rebuild safer, smarter and stronger."
The $9.5 million has been obligated for 18 elevations and for design and engineering costs for an additional 30 structures. The remaining $13.5 million will be provided based on the design review of the 30 structures, which require additional coordination because they are located in or adjacent to an area of historic or archaeological concern.
"We have been working on behalf of New Orleans citizens to get hazard mitigation monies into our city. Much of this work is administrative, with the city, the state and FEMA each doing its part. Today's news is the culmination of years of effort, and now the money has been approved for use. We look forward to working with residents and breaking ground on these mitigation projects," Dr. Earthea Nance said.
These structures are on the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) severe repetitive loss list of residential structures with excessive flood loss. About one-third of the severely and repetitively damaged homes in America are located in Louisiana.
A congressionally mandated study conducted for FEMA revealed that mitigation saves society an average of $4 for every dollar spent. Such defensive, preventative mitigation measures learned and implemented by Louisianians will contribute to a national floodplain management plan that saves taxpayers an estimated $1.1 billion per year by preventing flood damages.
Although other mitigation actions were considered, elevation of these severe repetitive loss properties was found to be the most cost effective and beneficial. The proposed project is expected to be completed in approximately three years.
The 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 leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism and man-made disasters.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 17-Mar-2009 10:31:14