Update on FEMA and Federal Partners’ Support to Disaster Recovery in Louisiana Parishes Affected by Floods

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), federal partners’ and the state of Louisiana continue to work together to support relief efforts in Louisiana, to include opening Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) today.

FEMA and the State of Louisiana opened two DRCs today, and will continue to open additional centers in locations identified by the state to provide information to survivors. Three additional centers are scheduled to open on Monday. These centers bring together federal, state, and local representatives to share information and answer questions of disaster survivors. Survivors can apply for assistance at DRCs and meet face-to-face with recovery specialists. To find the nearest Disaster Recovery Center visit www.fema.gov/DRC, use the FEMA Mobile App or text DRC and your Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA).

Survivors do not need to visit a DRC to get assistance as there are multiple ways to get assistance. Forty Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams are on the ground in Louisiana and at shelters to address immediate and emerging needs of disaster survivors including: on-site registration, applicant status checks, on-the-spot needs assessments, and access to partners offering survivor services. Residents and business owners who sustained disaster-related losses can also call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY). The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Central Time) seven days a week until further notice.

In addition, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) opened two business recovery centers in Louisiana, one in Livingston parish and one in Tangipahoa parish. Business recovery centers provide a wide range of services to businesses impacted by the severe storms and flooding. An additional four business recovery centers will open on Monday, one in Ascension parish, two in East Baton Rouge parish, and one in Lafayette parish. SBA approved $36.4 million in low interest loans to Louisiana survivors and businesses to assist with uninsured and underinsured flood related losses.

More than 106,000 individuals and households have registered with FEMA for assistance, and more than $55 million has been approved to help survivors with temporary rental assistance, essential home repairs, and other serious disaster-related needs. Additionally, more than 25,000 National Flood Insurance policyholders have submitted claims for flood loss. FEMA has authorized and issued more than $15 million in advanced payments to NFIP policyholders in Louisiana who sustained damages by the flood providing expedited relief to disaster survivors.

Reverend David L. Myers, the director of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, is traveling to Louisiana today to meet with the faith-based community. National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (National VOAD) members including voluntary, non-profit and faith-based organizations are also working closely with the affected states and communities to assist with disaster survivor needs. For those looking for ways to help in the community, cash donations offer voluntary agencies flexibility in obtaining the most-needed resources and provide money to the local economy to help businesses recover.

In addition to these efforts, the federal government and other partners are providing the following support:

FEMA has more than 2,000 personnel on the ground, including six Incident Management Assistance Teams and Mobile Emergency Response Support personnel. FEMA also provided the state more than 650,000 liters of water, 812,000 meals, 20,000 cots and 42,000 blankets for distribution.

The Corporation for National Community Service (CNCS) deployed more than 445 AmeriCorps members, including FEMA Corps and AmeriCorps Disaster Response Teams, to support shelter operations, home clean-up operations, survivor call centers and disaster survivor assistance teams.

The Salvation Army deployed mobile feeding trucks to serve meals, drinks and snacks to residents affected by the flooding.

Tide Loads of Hope mobile laundry truck arrived in Baton Rouge on Friday. The mobile washing unit is collecting, washing, drying and folding laundry free of charge. An extended capacity semi-truck equipped with 32 energy efficient washers and dryers arrive in Louisiana this week. Truck location updates are available at www.twitter.com/tide.

Duracell PowerForward Truck is providing free batteries and mobile charging to those affected by the floods. Truck location updates are available at www.twitter.com/duracell.

The American Red Cross (ARC) operational priorities continue to focus on providing food, shelter and relief supplies to survivors and working closely with local authorities to assess what and where the current needs are. Approximately 3,000 people remain housed in 20 ARC community shelters. Since the flooding began last week, ARC has provided more than 39,000 overnight stays in shelters and served more than 200,000 meals and snacks with feeding partners. The Red Cross Shelter Finder app displays open Red Cross shelters and their locations on an easy to use map interface. Survivors can also find the location of the nearest shelter by texting SHELTER and their Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA). The American Red Cross activated the Safe and Well program to allow survivors to let family members know they are safe and for family members to search for loved ones.

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) deployed volunteers, equipment and resources, including four kitchens in Baton Rouge, Hammond, Lafayette and Walker. The four kitchens are staffed by SDBR volunteers from Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. Alabama SBDR is preparing for the response and will be sending volunteers and at least one shower unit.

AmeriCares deployed an emergency response team to assess health needs in impacted areas and coordinate aid shipments, including medicine, bottled water and hygiene products.

United Way of Southeast Louisiana set up a flood relief and recovery fund to accept donations to support short- and long-term efforts to provide relief and recovery to areas affected by flooding.

The National Guard activated more than 2,600 National Guardsmen to assist with emergency flood response. Guardsmen have rescued more than 19,000 residents and 2,600 pets, and continue assisting with distribution of water, meals, cots, and tarps, and providing additional security and shelter support.

Team Rubicon deployed a recon team to evaluate the flooding along the Gulf Coast. The team on the ground is connected with Louisiana Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) and has identified a base of operations in Baton Rouge.

Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans sent counselors, case managers, and a nurse to assist the organization’s Baton Rouge location.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) deployed team leaders and subject matter expert personnel to assist the state and local government with debris removal and flood response operations.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is providing technical assistance to FEMA regarding the management and disposal of white goods, household hazardous waste or other potentially hazardous materials. EPA is assisting the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality with emergency response and spill assessment needs in the flooded areas.

###

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from and mitigate all hazards.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.