Hurricane Isaac Six Months Later: $500 Million in Recovery Dollars – and Counting

Hurricane Isaac Six Months Later: $500 Million in Recovery Dollars – and Counting

BATON ROUGE, La. – In the nearly six months since Hurricane Isaac thrashed Louisiana, recovery has progressed for survivors, businesses and communities.

Below is a snapshot from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of the state and federal assistance dollars approved to date and some milestones reached since the Aug. 29 disaster declaration:

$506.3 million

 

Eligible Louisianians and their communities have been approved for state and federal assistance totaling $506,308,559.

 

$416.5 million

The FEMA-administered National Flood Insurance Program has paid $416,486,815 on claims from policyholders in Louisiana.

 

$215.6 million

FEMA has obligated $215,568,977 to cover 75 percent of the costs incurred by the state and local communities for repairs to storm-damaged infrastructure, removal of storm-related debris and for measures taken to protect people before, during and after the hurricane – including search and rescue, law enforcement, shelters and emergency care.

 

$160.7 million

 

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved $160,690,700 in low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses throughout the disaster area.

 

$129.9 million

 

FEMA and the state have approved $129,863,867 in disaster assistance for Louisianians through FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program, which helps eligible applicants with emergency home repairs; uninsured personal property losses; and medical, dental and funeral expenses caused by the disaster. It also helps cover other disaster-related expenses.

 

$7.4 million

FEMA awarded the state a $7.4 million grant to fund a Disaster Case Management Program, which will help Hurricane Isaac survivors who have serious unmet needs even after receiving state and federal disaster assistance.

 

$6.8 million

FEMA grants of $6,845,882 for Crisis Counseling provided trained counselors to help adults and children in the 26 parishes designated for Individual Assistance work through post-disaster emotional stress. 

 

199,744

 

A total of 199,744 Louisianians registered for disaster assistance in the 26 parishes designated for Individual Assistance.

 

$185,015

 

Workers who have lost their jobs or those who are self-employed and unable to provide their services because of Hurricane Isaac have received $185,015 in Disaster Unemployment Assistance.

 

141,186

 

 

117,540

 

 

FEMA housing inspectors completed 141,186 home inspections, the important first step in determining eligibility for housing assistance.

 

Survivors at 117,540 homes, schools, and community- and faith-based organizations were contacted by the more than 300 FEMA Community Relations specialists who responded to Hurricane Isaac.

 

41,328

Storm survivors numbering 41,328 visited Disaster Recovery Centers. The first of 40 centers opened Sept. 1, just one day after the Individual Assistance designation.

 

2,294

 

 

 

 

1,753

During the 10 weeks of the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program, 2,294 storm survivors and families stayed in hotels on an emergency basis. FEMA paid the hotels for the cost of the rooms and taxes as survivors worked out alternative housing plans.

 

FEMA specialists numbering 1,753 deployed from around the United States to help Louisiana respond to and recover from Hurricane Isaac. FEMA teams continue to work with Whole Community partners to advance the recovery effort and mitigate against future hazards.

 

400

More than 400 AmeriCorps, Senior Corps and FEMA Corps members assisted Louisianians in shelters, volunteer centers and neighborhoods, and helped survivors and communities clean up and rebuild after the storm.

 

150

More than 150 voluntary agencies called on their volunteers, some from throughout the United States, to provide one-on-one help to Isaac survivors in a range of programs and services. Many have joined the long-term recovery effort to meet the needs of survivors that go beyond state and federal assistance dollars.

 

55

Number of Louisiana parishes designated for assistance under FEMA’s Public Assistance Grant Program: Acadia, Allen, Ascension, Assumption, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Bossier, Caddo, Caldwell, Cameron, Catahoula, Claiborne, Concordia, East Carroll, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Franklin, Iberia, Iberville, Jackson, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, La Salle, Lincoln, Livingston, Madison, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Orleans, Ouachita, Plaquemines, Point Coupee, Rapides, Richland, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Tensas, Terrebonne, Union, Vermillion, Washington, West Baton Rouge, West Carroll and West Feliciana.

 

26

 

 

 

 

 

Number of parishes designated for aid under the Individuals and Households Program: Allen, Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Morehouse, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana parishes.

 

26

Number of weeks since FEMA personnel began arriving to assist Louisianians affected by Hurricane Isaac.

 

10

 

 

The SBA opened 10 Business Recovery Centers in seven parishes, where customer service representatives and counselors met with business owners who sustained property damage and economic loss as a result of Hurricane Isaac.

 

1

Louisiana was the first state in the nation to appoint a state disaster recovery coordinator and local disaster recovery managers under the National Disaster Recovery Framework.

Survivors in Louisiana who have questions regarding their FEMA Individual Assistance may call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Survivors who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362.

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Hurricane Isaac Six Months Later: $500 Million in Recovery Dollars – and Counting

Six Months of Progress After Hurricane Isaac: Moving from “Survive” to “Thrive” in Louisiana

BATON ROUGE, La. – Six months after Hurricane Isaac slammed into the Gulf coast, Louisianians are starting to make the transition from “survive” to “thrive.” Hard-hit communities are planning how to build back better than ever even as their residents are working to get their lives back on track.

The hurricane may have left a trail of muck and misery through Louisiana after it hit in late August, but the hard work of survivors, their families and community leaders, plus hundreds of millions of dollars in state and federal assistance, have made a significant contribution to the state’s recovery.

 “Every day, Louisiana’s residents, families, businesses and communities make progress in getting their lives back to normal after Hurricane Isaac’s devastating winds, rains and floods,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). “There is much work still to do, but their efforts show their resilience and their determination to come back better than ever.”

Today, disaster assistance has topped $506 million. This includes:

  • More than $129.8 million in grants from FEMA’s Individual Assistance (IA) program,
  • Nearly $160.7 million in low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and
  • More than $215.5 million in reimbursements to the state and local governments , educational institutions, community services and public safety organizations from FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program.

Public Assistance, in conjunction with its state and local partners, continues to move forward as it helps Louisiana’s storm-ravaged parishes meet the challenges of repairing damaged infrastructure and covering the costs of debris cleanup and emergency measures taken before, during and after the storm to protect the lives and safety of Louisianians.

Those Public Assistance reimbursement dollars, while awarded to eligible government entities and nonprofits throughout the state, benefit everyone — neighborhoods, parishes and cities. PA dollars help clean up communities overwhelmed by disaster-related debris, repair roads and bridges people use every day getting to work, ensure hospitals, fire stations and other vital community services are restored, put utilities and water systems back in order and restore playground equipment to public parks.

While dollar amounts are an important part of Louisiana’s recovery, they do not tell the full story of the state and federal family’s commitment to the state since the hurricane drenched, flooded and otherwise damaged the state. 

As survivors continue to repair or rebuild their homes, their businesses and their lives, long-term recovery groups have been hard at work in 15 storm-damaged parishes. FEMA’s Voluntary Agency Liaisons work closely with these groups, which are formed from a network of nonprofit and voluntary agencies and faith- and community-based organizations and help survivors meet their longer-term needs.

Although many survivors are well on their way to restoring their homes and property, recovery does not occur at the same pace for everyone. FEMA, the state, the private sector and voluntary agencies continue to collaborate to find ways to help. 

Meanwhile, a continuing state-administered crisis counseling program serves adults and children who need help identifying ways to deal with the stresses of surviving and recovering from a hurricane.

FEMA support personnel also are working to help survivors through the new National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF), activated for the first time in the state of Louisiana. Like the disaster’s very first response efforts, extended recovery and revitalization require a united effort starting at the local level. As communities envision their futures and prioritize their needs and wants, they can draw on expertise and resources from a variety of state and federal agencies.

Community involvement began early. Just weeks after the Aug. 29 disaster declaration, two parishes named local disaster recovery managers and the state named Mark Riley as its disaster recovery coordinator. Wayne Rickard of FEMA was appointed the federal disaster recovery coordinator under the NDRF.

In late January, St. John Parish, which sustained severe damage from Hurricane Isaac, held its first public open houses to map the course of the community’s recovery. At these events, residents contributed ideas and received information about how they could help rebuild their parish. In hard-hit Plaquemines Parish, a similar community initiative is in its early stages. 

“It’s exciting to see the ideas and energy in the local initiatives,” Rickard said. “And as other Louisiana communities begin planning for future disasters, they can also call on a wealth of state and federal resources for support and assistance.”

FEMA also continues to work hand in hand with our state and local partners, and reach out to the federal family as we search for viable solutions to the more complex issues that stand in the way of full community recovery.

National Flood Insurance Program experts continue to offer information and guidance to individuals affected by recent flood insurance reform. They have spoken with Louisianians at community forums and by telephone to make sure residents have the most accurate information on which to base their decisions for their families and themselves.

The first FEMA personnel arrived in Louisiana days before Hurricane Isaac hit the state. The agency will remain here for the long haul, committed to supporting our state and local partners as the Whole Community works together to find solutions to the issues that remain. 

More information on Louisiana disaster recovery, including recovery photos, is available online at www.fema.gov/disaster/4080. Information can also be found at www.gohsep.la.gov. FEMA is also on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion6 and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA.

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Six Months of Progress After Hurricane Isaac: Moving from “Survive” to “Thrive” in Louisiana

FEMA Awards $9 Million to Two Louisiana Agencies for Hurricane Isaac Expenses

BATON ROUGE, La. – Two State of Louisiana agencies will receive a combined $9 million to reimburse expenses incurred protecting residents during Hurricane Isaac, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said Monday.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development will receive $7,087,544 in Public Assistance grant funds to help cover the costs of transporting evacuees to shelters, as well as other emergency protective measures taken during the hurricane and its aftermath. The Louisiana National Guard will receive $2,025,996 to reimburse it for overtime costs incurred for personnel carrying out emergency protective measures. 

 “The National Guard and Transportation Department provided essential services for Louisianians in harm’s way before, during and after Hurricane Isaac,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar of FEMA. “The Public Assistance grants will help these agencies fulfill their missions to protect the safety and well-being of Louisianians.”

The newly awarded funds are a portion of the $195.5 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.

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FEMA Awards $9 Million to Two Louisiana Agencies for Hurricane Isaac Expenses

Deadline Extended a Third Time for Isaac-Related Flood Insurance Claims in Louisiana

BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana property owners with flood insurance policies whose homes or other structures were damaged during Hurricane Isaac have an additional 30 days to file claims for their flood-related losses. This means most policyholders have until Feb. 21 to complete their proof of loss.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) usually requires claims to be reported within 60 days from the date of loss. Three extensions have been granted, however, because access to NFIP-insured homes and other buildings was delayed due to infrastructure damage and high floodwaters. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administers the program.

With the latest 30-day extension on flood insurance claims, Louisianians have 180 days from the date of their insured loss to submit a claim, known as proof of loss. Hurricane Isaac first made landfall in Louisiana on Aug. 28, 2012, with heavy rainfall and flooding occurring within several days before and after it hit. For this reason the date of loss varies for property owners.

“Many Isaac survivors continue to gather information that will help adjusters determine their flood insurance loss,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar of FEMA. “However, we urge folks who haven’t yet filed their proof of loss to do so as soon as possible.”

Failure to submit the proof of loss could cause policyholders to miss out on benefits from their flood insurance policy, NFIP specialists said.

Since Isaac made landfall, the NFIP has paid out more than $416 million on 13,159 claims in Louisiana.

Policyholders with questions about flood insurance or concerns about their claims may contact their local insurance agent, call FEMA program experts at 1-866-331-1679 or 1-866-330-7286, or visit www.floodsmart.gov.

More information on Louisiana disaster recovery is available online at www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. FEMA is also on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion6 and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA.

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Deadline Extended a Third Time for Isaac-Related Flood Insurance Claims in Louisiana

FEMA Obligates $1.8 Million to Louisiana Agency for Hurricane Isaac Recovery

BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) will receive a federal grant totaling more than $1.8 million to reimburse the agency for expenses incurred during Hurricane Isaac, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said Wednesday.

The FEMA Public Assistance grant, totaling $1,803,935, will cover 75 percent of the costs for emergency protective measures the department took before, during and after the late August hurricane to help evacuate and shelter Louisianians.

Between Aug. 26 and Sept. 10, 2012, Hurricane Isaac and its aftermath required the state of Louisiana to activate plans, procedures, staff and contracts to ensure a comprehensive response for the safe evacuation and sheltering of Louisianians. DCFS is responsible for providing sheltering, mass care, emergency assistance and housing to residents affected by a disaster.

“The department played a critical role in helping people remain safe, dry and healthy under extremely difficult circumstances,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar of FEMA. “The grant will help DCFS recover its expenses for that important effort.”

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.

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FEMA Obligates $1.8 Million to Louisiana Agency for Hurricane Isaac Recovery

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.

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

FEMA Obligates $1.1 Million to Lafourche Parish for Debris Removal

BATON ROUGE, La. – Lafourche Parish will receive a $1.1 million federal grant to help reimburse its costs for cleaning up debris from public rights of way following Hurricane Isaac, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced.

The FEMA grant, totaling $1,144,692, is obligated to the parish for its work in removing and disposing of more than 107,000 cubic yards of vegetative and other debris cause by high winds and flooding during the storm.

“Cleaning up debris is an important step in the recovery process,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar of FEMA. “This grant demonstrates our strong support for the city’s efforts to clear debris and thus protect public health and safety.”

The FEMA 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 more than $144.1 million in total Public Assistance recovery dollars approved for the state since the Aug. 29 declaration for Hurricane Isaac.

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.

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FEMA Obligates $1.1 Million to Lafourche Parish for Debris Removal

FEMA Obligates $4.6 Million to Plaquemines Parish for Protective Measures

BATON ROUGE, La. – Plaquemines Parish will receive a $4.6 million federal grant to help reimburse expenses it incurred while protecting residents during the Hurricane Isaac disaster, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced.

The grant, totaling $4,672,444, helps reimburse the parish for equipment, labor and contracted work associated with pumping efforts during the hurricane-related flood event.

“Plaquemines Parish made great efforts to protect lives and property during the storm,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar. “This grant demonstrates our strong support for those efforts and our commitment to the parish’s recovery.”

The FEMA 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 $59.4 million in total Public Assistance recovery dollars approved for Plaquemines Parish since the Aug. 29 declaration for Hurricane Isaac. Statewide, Public Assistance grants total $144.1 million.

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.

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FEMA Obligates $4.6 Million to Plaquemines Parish for Protective Measures

FEMA Working to Increase Assistance for Hurricane Survivors in Louisiana

BATON ROUGE, La. — More than $530,000 in additional disaster assistance is getting to Hurricane Isaac survivors as the result of an initiative launched by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Louisiana. 

Under the initiative, 3,904 storm survivors are getting follow-up phone calls and even some home visits from a team of FEMA outreach liaisons. They are helping applicants with the appeal process, explaining letters they may have received from FEMA and assisting applicants with gathering the documentation needed for their claims.

So far, outreach specialists have helped survivors obtain more than $174,000 in Rental Assistance and nearly $358,000 in Housing Assistance.

Since Hurricane Isaac roared ashore in late August, the state and FEMA have approved more than $117 million in grants for eligible individuals and families in Louisiana. The grants are for temporary housing, home repair and reconstruction, and for other needs, including personal property replacement or disaster-related medical and dental expenses. The total includes more than $530,000 in assistance resulting from the outreach initiative.

“With this proactive approach we’re reducing the number of survivors determined ineligible for federal assistance because of incomplete or missing information,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar of FEMA. “The recovery process is stressful for those who suffered great losses, and we want to make sure all survivors get the maximum grant they are eligible to receive.”

“Another benefit of survivor outreach is that FEMA can more quickly close cases and thus get survivors referred to long-term recovery committees to assist them with any unmet needs,” said Susan Tompkins, head of FEMA’s Individual Assistance branch for the hurricane recovery mission. “This helps speed the pace of recovery for everyone.”

The outreach effort will continue until FEMA contacts all eligible survivors in the parishes, Tompkins said.

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.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

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.

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FEMA Working to Increase Assistance for Hurricane Survivors in Louisiana

Disaster Assistance Tops $23.5 Million in St. Tammany Parish

BATON ROUGE, La. – Nearly three months since the Aug. 29 federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Isaac in Louisiana, more than $365 million in state and federal disaster assistance has been approved for the state. Disaster assistance for survivors in St. Tammany Parish totals $23,549,619.

St. Tammany Parish by the Numbers

Number of survivors who registered for assistance with FEMA: 14,707

Amount of Housing Assistance approved: $6,734,674

Amount of Other Needs Assistance approved: $1,973,731

TOTAL Individual Assistance grants: $8,708,405

TOTAL Public Assistance obligations: $2,825,214

TOTAL U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans: $12,016,000

Timeline

Aug. 27 – President Obama issued an Emergency Declaration in Louisiana, in advance of Hurricane Isaac, for emergency protective measures (Category B), limited to direct federal assistance under the Public Assistance program.

Aug. 29 – President Obama issued a federal disaster declaration for 35 parishes in Louisiana, including St. Tammany. The declaration made Public Assistance (PA) funds available for reimbursement of  costs for debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A & B), including direct federal assistance. A total of 55 parishes are now designated for PA.

Aug. 29 – The federal disaster declaration also made all parishes in the state eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Aug. 31 – An amendment designated five parishes in Louisiana, including St. Tammany, eligible for Individual Assistance (IA). With subsequent amendments, IA is now available in 26 parishes: Allen, Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Morehouse, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana.

Sept. 1 – The first of three Disaster Recovery Centers in St. Tammany Parish opened in Slidell. Before the last one closed Nov. 17, a total of 3,501 people had visited the recovery centers in the parish.

Sept. 3 – FEMA, at the request of the state, activated the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program, which allowed eligible evacuees from Hurricane Isaac who could not return to their homes to stay in hotels or motels until more suitable housing accommodations were available. The program was extended four times. Of the 3,217 St. Tammany residents eligible for TSA, 359 checked into hotels in the program.

Sept. 7 – In Slidell, the SBA opened the first of two Business Recovery Centers (BRCs) in St. Tammany Parish to provide information about low-interest disaster loans to local businesses and to assist with applications. Another BRC opened Sept. 10 in Mandeville.

Sept. 12 – FEMA extended the PA program in 14 parishes, including St. Tammany, to include supplemental funding for infrastructure repairs in the wake of Hurricane Isaac. Applicants in St. Tammany are now eligible to apply for the full range of PA funding (Categories A-G).

Oct. 15 – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Coast Guard, in coordination with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, began removing barrels, drums and other potentially hazardous containers in six parishes, including St. Tammany. The program is funded by FEMA and the state.

Survivors in St. Tammany Parish affected by Hurricane Isaac can apply for disaster assistance until the Nov. 29 deadline. They may apply online at www.disasterassistance.gov, at m.fema.gov with a smartphone, or by phone at 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. Survivors who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 800-621-3362.

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.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

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.

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of funding for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).

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Disaster Assistance Tops $23.5 Million in St. Tammany Parish

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