FEMA Obligates $1.5 Million to Baton Rouge for Hurricane Isaac Recovery

BATON ROUGE, La. – Baton Rouge will receive a $1.5 million federal grant to help the city recover from Hurricane Isaac, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said Wednesday.

The FEMA Public Assistance grant, totaling $1,529,871, helps reimburse the city for equipment and supplies used during the Hurricane Isaac response and recovery. Several departments were involved in the effort, including the airport, police, fire, emergency medical services, public works and the Mayor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness.

“The work of local governments is crucial when disaster strikes,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar. “These FEMA funds help support Baton Rouge’s efforts that protected the health and safety of citizens and city personnel during Hurricane Isaac.”

The grant covers the federal share of the parish’s eligible costs for the work. Under a cost-sharing formula, FEMA reimburses the state for 75 percent of the total costs, while the state and/or applicant pay the remaining 25 percent.

The newly obligated funds are a portion of the nearly $175.7 million in total Public Assistance recovery dollars approved for the state since the Aug. 29, 2012, disaster declaration.

Once FEMA reimburses the state of Louisiana it is the state’s responsibility to manage the funds, which includes making disbursements to local jurisdictions and organizations that incurred costs.

For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, click www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. You can follow FEMA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.