Louisiana Export and Import Gateway Receives FEMA Assistance

NEW ORLEANS – The Federal Emergency Management Agency recently announced $210,000 in federal aid to the Port of South Louisiana, the largest tonnage port district in the western hemisphere, for damages incurred during Hurricane Katrina.

Stretching more than 54 miles along the Mississippi River, the Port of South Louisiana is called on by approximately 4,000 oceangoing vessels and 55,000 barges each year and owns facilities within St. Charles, St. James and St. John the Baptist parishes.

FEMA’s recent funding for hurricane damages pertain to the port’s Globalplex Intermodal Terminal located in Reserve, La., within St. John the Baptist Parish. This terminal provides handling and storage for bulk, break bulk and containerized cargo. During Hurricane Katrina, strong winds and flooding damaged its scale and security house facility. 

“As a result of Katrina’s damages, the terminal’s scale and security house currently operates from a temporary facility. FEMA’s recent grant will aid in the construction of a permanent facility for the port,” said FEMA’s Louisiana Recovery Office Deputy Director of Programs Andre Cadogan.

Located at the entrance to the terminal, the scale and security facility ensures that all entering vehicles and occupants register with the guards, and containers and goods are also weighed upon entrance as needed. Construction of the new, post-Katrina scale and security facility is expected to begin soon.

“We appreciate FEMA’s response to the port’s needs for a replacement to the port terminal’s scale and security house facility,” said Port of South Louisiana Executive Director Joel Chaisson.

To date, including this recent grant, FEMA has provided approximately $800,000 to the Port of South Louisiana for hurricane-related damages. This funding represents mentioned damages from Hurricane Katrina and other damages incurred during Hurricane Gustav.

When FEMA approves projects through its supplemental Public Assistance grant, the funds are made available to the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness, who disburses them to the applicant for eligible work completed.

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’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.