FEMA Awards $15 Million In Flood Reduction Grants 

Release Date: August 28, 2003
Release Number: R6-03-87

Denton, TX -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), today announced three grants to reduce flood risks by elevating homes and buying homes in Slidell, Livingston Parish and Terrebonne Parish that were damaged by Hurricane Lili last year.

"Louisiana has more repetitively flooded properties than any state in the nation," said Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security's Emergency Preparedness & Response. "This project is part of our efforts, with state and community partners, to reduce flooding in the state."

Terrebonne Parish proposes to buy 25 and elevate 106 homes in the floodplain that received more than 50 percent damage from Hurricane Lili's high winds and flooding. The Parish will offer owners pre-flood values for their homes in this voluntary buyout. All structures will be removed or demolished and the lands will remain as open space. The remaining structures will be elevated one foot above the current base flood elevation. FEMA will award the Terrebonne project over $10 million.

Slidell homeowners assisted by the grant will avoid future floods by elevating 25 homes to at least one foot above the 100-year flood level. FEMA's share of the project is $3.1 million.

In Livingston Parish, the flood mitigation grant will fund the purchase of 11 homes in the floodplains and will pay to elevate eight additional homes. FEMA has awarded the parish nearly $2 million for the project.

Through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, FEMA funds 75 percent of project costs and local sources fund the balance. The Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness will administer the grants.

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.

Last Modified: Thursday, 28-Aug-2003 09:44:21