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

BATON ROUGE, La. – Nov. 29 marks a milestone for Louisiana’s Hurricane Isaac recovery: it’s the registration deadline for homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained storm damage, and the closing date for the state’s remaining two Disaster Recovery Centers.   

The two State/FEMA centers are located at 2654 Jean Lafitte Blvd., Lafitte, LA 70067 in Jefferson Parish, and 1931 W Airline Hwy, La Place, LA 70068 in St. John Parish. Hours for both centers are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials stress that communication channels will remain open for Hurricane Isaac survivors even after that date.

“Louisianians can still contact us with their questions or concerns,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar. “Even after Nov. 29, we remain committed to helping survivors here until they have received all the state and federal assistance they are eligible for.”     

Louisianians can register until Nov. 29 online at www.disasterassistance.gov, via smartphone at m.fema.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585.  Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. FEMA phone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week; non-English speakers may receive assistance in the language of their choice by pressing Option 3 when prompted. This is also how applicants can stay in touch with FEMA.

Storm-affected homeowners, renters and business owners with uninsured or underinsured damage in the following disaster-designated parishes should register: 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.

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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Recovery Milestone Date Coming Soon for Louisiana Hurricane Survivors

BATON ROUGE, La. – As Louisianians continue to recover from Hurricane Isaac, they may have needs not met by state or federal grants and loans. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has partnered with more than 150 voluntary agencies that are providing a wide range of crucial assistance to survivors.

Voluntary agencies provide services such as debris cleanup, tree removal, counseling, home repairs and reconstruction. They also are instrumental in collecting and distributing donated food, clothing, cleaning supplies and other items needed by survivors as they begin their road to recovery.

Survivors may be connected to these agencies by calling the Louisiana information helpline at 2-1-1. Operators are available round-the-clock, seven days a week. Additional resources can also be found at www.louisiana211.org. Two parishes have set up hotlines to connect survivors with services. In Plaquemines Parish, the number is 1-504-564-0309. In St. John, the number is 1-985-359-1024.

“FEMA is doing everything we can to help survivors recover from Hurricane Isaac, but we can’t do everything,” said Gerard M. Stolar, FEMA’s federal coordinating officer. “By partnering with these voluntary agencies, we work together as part of the whole community to help survivors get their needs met.”

Calling 2-1-1 is not the same as registering with FEMA.  Those with uninsured or underinsured damages who have not registered with FEMA should apply online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Those without Internet access may call 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585. For 711 Relay or Video Relay Services, call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

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

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Call 2-1-1: Voluntary Agencies Can Help Survivors with Unmet Needs

BATON ROUGE, La. — Most property owners whose homes or other structures were damaged during Hurricane Isaac have approaching deadlines for filing claims for their flood-related losses.

Most of these claims are due in the upcoming two weeks as the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requires them to be reported within 60 days from the date of loss. Hurricane Isaac made first landfall in Louisiana Aug. 28 with heavy rainfall and flooding occurring within several days before and after it hit.

NFIP is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Since Isaac made landfall, NFIP has paid out nearly $192 million on 9,736 claims in Louisiana.

“The flooding caused by Hurricane Isaac in many cases caused more damage than the wind,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar of FEMA. “We are reminding Louisianians with NFIP policies that time is running out to get their claims filed with their agents or insurance companies.”

If policy holders have questions about flood insurance or concerns about their claims, they may call FEMA’s Hurricane Isaac Flood Insurance Call Center. The toll-free number is 1-866-331-1679. Help is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Additional information is available at www.floodsmart.gov.

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

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Isaac-Related Flood Insurance Claims Have Upcoming Deadlines

BATON ROUGE, La. – As Louisianians continue to recover from Hurricane Isaac, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issues this reminder: Keeping contact information current is as important as registering for disaster assistance.

“We encourage all survivors to stay in touch with FEMA,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar of FEMA. “This is especially important for those eligible survivors in newly added parishes who have not received their FEMA assistance.”

Survivors who change their addresses, telephone numbers, or bank account or insurance information should update that information with FEMA. Outdated contact information could lead to missed correspondence or telephone calls. Without accurate banking information, eligible survivors could miss disaster assistance grants that are sent to accounts via direct deposit.

Survivors can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. They may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

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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Updating Contact Information as Important as Registering with FEMA

BATON ROUGE, La. – One month since Hurricane Isaac battered Louisiana, survivors are making strong progress in their recovery. Aided by more than $152.5 million in state and federal assistance, Louisianians are cleaning up and rebuilding their homes, businesses and communities.

Tens of thousands of survivors have been in touch with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) seeking help or information. Some have called FEMA’s helpline, others have met Community Relations specialists visiting their neighborhoods and still others have visited one or more of the 32 Disaster Recovery Centers that have opened in 19 parishes.

For eligible survivors, FEMA has provided more than $92.6 million in assistance to make essential repairs to primary homes that are too damaged to live in. A portion of those funds have gone for other disaster-related expenses including medical, dental or personal property loss such as vehicles, clothing and household items. Other survivors have benefitted from disaster unemployment assistance, legal aid and temporary sheltering in hotels and motels.

The U.S. Small Business Administration, a partner in Louisiana’s recovery effort, has already approved more than $23 million in low-interest disaster loans to homeowners and business owners affected by the storm. These loans will finance significant repairs or rebuilding of hurricane-damaged homes and businesses, allowing neighborhoods and communities to bounce back from the storm.

Survivors who did not need or qualify for federal disaster assistance or who had additional needs have been referred to local voluntary agencies, partners in the whole community recovery effort. Volunteers from around the country and scores of local community- and faith-based organizations and other nonprofit groups are helping survivors. They have been working in the impacted communities since before the hurricane hit, and they will remain for months to come.

“Survivors are working hard to repair and rebuild after Hurricane Isaac,” said Mike Hall, FEMA’s federal coordinating officer. “With the whole community working alongside them, we’re already seeing positive signs of recovery.”

Additional funds, now totaling more than $36.7 million, are being awarded under the Public Assistance Grant Program for eligible state agencies, local and federally recognized tribal governments and certain private nonprofit organizations.

Below is a snapshot of the assistance dollars and some milestones reached during the past month:

$152.5 million

To date, more than $152.5 million in federal assistance has been approved to aid eligible Louisianians and their communities.

 

$92.6 million

 

More than $92.6 million in disaster aid has been approved 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.

 

$78.9 million

Nearly $78.9 million has been paid to 12,223 policyholders through the FEMA-administered National Flood Insurance Program.

 

$36.7 million

 

FEMA has obligated more than $36.7 million to cover 75 percent of the costs incurred for removal of storm-related debris and for measures taken to protect people before, during and after the hurricane – including search and rescue, security forces, shelters and emergency care.

 

$23 million

 

The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved more than $23 million in low-interest disaster loans for 692 homeowners and business owners throughout the disaster area.

 

190,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

More than 190,500 Louisianians have registered for disaster assistance online at www.disasterassistance.gov or m.fema.gov on a smartphone. Survivors also are using FEMA’s toll-free registration line at 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services are calling 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers are open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

125,500

FEMA housing inspectors have completed more than 125,500 home inspections, an important first step in determining eligibility for housing assistance.

 

20,000

Nearly 20,000 storm survivors have visited FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Centers since Isaac struck last month. FEMA has opened 32 recovery centers since the Aug. 29 disaster declaration. For a list of open centers in Louisiana go online to www.fema.gov/disaster/4080.

 

8,600

FEMA mitigation specialists have provided advice and tips on how to rebuild safer and stronger to more than 8,600 Louisianians at Disaster Recovery Centers and home improvement stores.

 

2,200

 

 

 

 

1,350

Nearly 2,200 storm survivors have received Transitional Sheltering Assistance. The program allows eligible evacuees from Hurricane Isaac whose neighborhoods are not accessible or whose houses have been destroyed or lack utilities to stay in a hotel or motel for a limited time. FEMA pays the hotel for the cost of the room and taxes.

 

More than 1,350 FEMA specialists have 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.

 

300

More than 300 Community Relations specialists have canvassed parishes designated for Individual Assistance. The specialists have provided information and answered survivors’ questions in neighborhoods, at Disaster Recovery Centers, and at points of distribution and shelters.

 

100

More than 100 voluntary agencies have called upon their volunteers to provide one-on-one help to Isaac survivors.

 

55

A total of 55 Louisiana parishes are 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.

 

21

A total of 21 parishes have been designated for aid under the Individuals and Households Program. These include Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington and West Feliciana parishes.

 

1

It has been one month since Hurricane Isaac battered Louisiana.

 

Survivors may still register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. They may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

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.  Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/femaregion6, the R6 Hurricane Preparedness website at www.fema.gov/about/regions/regionvi/updates.shtm and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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 nonprofit 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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Hurricane Isaac One Month Later: Positive Signs of Recovery

BATON ROUGE, La. — After receiving federal assistance for past disaster-declared storms and hurricanes, thousands of Louisianians were required to purchase flood insurance policies through Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) programs. In the Hurricane Isaac disaster, FEMA is reaching out to survivors who let those policies lapse.

The insurance policy, issued under a FEMA Group Flood Insurance Policy, is a three-year, nonrenewable, group flood policy funded by a portion of the survivor’s FEMA grant money. After the policy expires, renters and homeowners are required to purchase and maintain a flood insurance policy from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to continue their insurance protection.

Applicants who did not maintain the required flood insurance coverage for their previously damaged homes are not eligible for disaster loans or grants to repair that same property after Hurricane Isaac.

Survivors may, however, still be eligible for grants to pay for rental assistance, other serious disaster-related expenses and Transitional Sheltering Assistance, which may allow families to stay in a hotel for a limited period of time.

“FEMA and our partners in the community may have some programs to help Louisianians who were not able to keep flood insurance coverage for properties damaged during previous storms,” said Mike Hall, FEMA’s federal coordinating officer. “We encourage you to register and find what assistance is available to you.”

FEMA recently opened a Hurricane Isaac Flood Insurance Call Center for use by storm survivors who have questions or concerns about flood insurance or flood insurance adjusters. The toll-free number is 1-866-331-1679. The call center is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.

Currently, more than 486,000 Louisianians have flood insurance protection, representing nearly $112 billion in coverage through the NFIP. To date, this program has paid out more than $49 million in claims for Hurricane Isaac.

Applying for disaster assistance is quick and simple. Survivors with uninsured or underinsured damages can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. They may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

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 Reaches Out to Survivors with Lapsed Flood Insurance