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FEMA Local Hires Bring Skills, Insight to Louisiana Recovery

BATON ROUGE, La. – They come from a variety of backgrounds and bring something a little extra to their new jobs with FEMA. Many local hires with the agency have been affected by the August flooding in Louisiana or know someone who has. All take a special interest in the area’s recovery.

FEMA hires local workers for temporary, full-time jobs at disaster recovery offices. A local workforce, employed until the disaster recovery mission ends, helps free FEMA staff to move to the next disaster assignment. Local employees also bring knowledge about the culture, events and politics that define a state or geographical area—insight that helps the recovery mission.

In Baton Rouge, the agency has hired about 70 people from the area and is looking to fill nearly 30 more jobs, including managers, travel specialists, historic preservationists, writers and those in other recovery-related fields.

Among the 70 new staffers are two writers. One pens music and film reviews, appears as a cultural reporter for a Baton Rouge television station and has authored a book about a local musician. The other writer worked on the Hurricane Katrina recovery as a FEMA contractor and was impressed by the agency’s efforts in environmental and historic preservation.

“I worked in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in historic preservation and cultural resources management,” said Harriet Swift. “When I saw devastation from the August flood, I knew I had to help again.”

Bethny Pack-Abel was also driven by her desire to help. “I come from the helping industry—nonprofits and social services. Helping is my passion.” Her home was untouched by the flooding, but she saw entire neighborhoods affected by floodwaters in Tangipahoa Parish.　 Now part of the FEMA team that’s reaching out to businesses, Pack-Abel is eyeing long-term possibilities with federal employment.　

FEMA continues to hire full-time skilled workers for a variety of temporary disaster recovery jobs. The pay is competitive and includes benefits for the duration of the job. For postings, visit the Louisiana Workforce Commission at LaWorks.net.

Baton Rouge Area Residents Join FEMA to Support Flood Recovery Efforts.

Gerald M. Stolar, FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer, welcomed local-hires Marla Williams and Contina Emery. This is the second time that Marla and Contina have worked for FEMA. Local hires are employees hired by FEMA from the local commuting area of a declared disaster. As a member of the community effected by the disaster, this group has the special understanding of the problems faced by their fellow disaster survivors. This insight makes them an integral part of the FEMA team.

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FEMA Local Hires Bring Skills, Insight to Louisiana Recovery

Survivors Can Help Avoid Delays in the Manufactured Housing Unit Process

BATON ROUGE, La. –Louisiana disaster survivors who are eligible for Manufactured Housing Units (MHUs) can help FEMA make the process go as smoothly as possible.

If you’re eligible for an MHU, FEMA will contact you to schedule a site inspection if you want to place a unit on your property. Keep in mind the following steps to avoid slowing the process:

Be available. You must be present for a site inspection. FEMA will arrange to place an MHU on your property if the agency determines it is feasible. A FEMA representative will provide information during the inspection process so you can contact them if you have questions about the status of your MHU.
Contact your power company to install a second service and meter on your property. Your parish or city will then inspect the installation and notify the power company that power may be turned on. Tell the power company it is for a FEMA MHU installation.
Help FEMA obtain right-of-entry from your neighbors. FEMA may need permission to trench utility lines or gain access to the site.

If defects are discovered in the air-conditioner, water, lighting, toilets or other parts of the unit, FEMA must repair them before turning over the keys to you. FEMA will also arrange for safety modifications such as elevation and anchoring.

MHUs are a last resort for survivors whose primary home is uninhabitable, have uninsured housing needs, and have no practicable temporary housing options within a reasonable commuting distance.

FEMA has expanded its services to accommodate your questions about MHUs. Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use TTY, call 800-462-7585. If you use 711 or Video Relay Service, call 800-621-3362. You may also visit their closest disaster recovery center by going online to fema.gov/drc or by calling the FEMA helpline.

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Survivors Can Help Avoid Delays in the Manufactured Housing Unit Process

Louisiana: Request for Public Assistance Deadline Approaches

BATON ROUGE, La. – Louisiana governments and certain private nonprofits affected by August’s severe storms and floods must submit their Request for Public Assistance (RPA) by Saturday, Oct. 15, for FEMA to consider them for Public Assistance (PA).

FEMA’s PA program may assist eligible applicants with disaster-related expenses such as debris removal, managing the immediate response, and repairing or rebuilding facilities, buildings, roads and bridges.

City, parish and state government entities in the following parishes are eligible to submit RPAs: Acadia, Ascension, Assumption, Avoyelles, Cameron, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Vermilion, Washington, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana.

Private nonprofits that provide critical services—such as education, law enforcement, emergency services, healthcare and utilities—may also submit RPAs.

Organizations that provide non-critical, essential services must also apply for a low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in addition to submitting an RPA. FEMA may assist with expenses the SBA loan does not cover.

Governments and private nonprofits that sustained disaster-related costs and want to seek funding must first register at sam.gov to participate. They may find RPA forms online at louisianapa.com/site/resources.cfm.

Contact your parish’s emergency management director for more information. You may also email eRPA.help@la.gov or call 225-376-5330.

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Louisiana: Request for Public Assistance Deadline Approaches

Louisiana Gets FEMA Money for Debris Cleanup, Home Repair Program, Public Safety

BATON ROUGE, La. – FEMA has awarded the state approximately $146 million to reimburse local entities for expenses related to response and recovery efforts as a result of August’s severe storms and floods.

Here is a breakdown of the funding:

Nearly $40 million for debris removal expenses in East Baton Rouge Parish.
More than $6 million for debris removal expenses in Livingston Parish.
More than $5 million for expenses related to the National Guard’s public safety actions during the disaster response.
Nearly $95 million for the state’s Shelter at Home program that provides emergency repairs to disaster-damaged homes of disaster survivors.

FEMA continues working with its local and state partners to ensure they are reimbursed all eligible disaster-related expenses.

The funds were made available through FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program. The program reimburses disaster-related expenses to eligible local, state and certain private nonprofit entities in 26 designated parishes to repair or replace disaster-damaged facilities and infrastructure.

The 26 designated parishes for PA funding are Acadia, Ascension, Assumption, Avoyelles, Cameron, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Livingston, Point Coupee, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Vermilion, Washington, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana.

FEMA typically reimburses 75 percent of eligible PA expenses. However, applicants will be reimbursed 90 percent of eligible PA expenses given the magnitude of the August severe storms and floods. The federal portion is paid directly to the state, which then disburses the funds to the applicants.

Excavator picking up debris on the side of the road.

Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016. Debris cleanup begins in Zachary, La. (Photo by J.T. Blatty/FEMA)

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Louisiana Gets FEMA Money for Debris Cleanup, Home Repair Program, Public Safety

Louisiana Flood Survivors Can Get FEMA Rebuilding Advice at Home Improvement Stores

BATON ROUGE, La. — As Louisianans repair or rebuild their homes damaged by August floods, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and local hardware and home improvement stores have teamed up to provide free information on making homes stronger and safer.

FEMA mitigation specialists will be on hand to provide information at area Lowe’s stores from Sept. 26 through Oct. 15. They will be available to answer questions and offer home improvement tips and proven methods to prevent and lessen damage from future disasters. Most of the information is aimed at people who prefer “do-it-yourself” projects and general contractors.

FEMA advisors will be on hand at information centers in these Lowe’s stores 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday:

East Baton Rouge Parish
1777 Millerville Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70816

Iberia Parish
2816 Highway-14
New Iberia, LA 70560

Mitigation specialists will be in these Home Depot stores 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday:

Ascension Parish
2740 South Cajun Ave.
Gonzales, LA 70737

East Baton Rouge Parish
8181 Airline Highway
Baton Rouge, LA 70815

East Baton Rouge Parish
6600 Main Street
Zachary, LA 70791

St. Martin Parish
213 St. Nazaire Road
Broussard, LA 70518

Free reference booklets, in English and Spanish, with information on protecting your home from flood damage, will be available at all locations. More information about strengthening property can be found at www.fema.gov/what-mitigation.

Survivors who have questions about their flood insurance policies and coverage should contact the National Flood Insurance Program call center at 800-621-3362 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. (CT) Monday through Friday.

Additional information on Louisiana’s disaster recovery can be found by visiting fema.gov/disaster/4277, twitter.com/femaregion6, twitter.com/FEMA, facebook.com/FEMA, fema.gov/blog and www.fema.gov/louisiana-disaster-mitigation.

FEMA representative speaks with a senior management home depot representative across a table with brochures.

FEMA mitigation representative talks to Jeff Partin, Home Depot Senior Manager of Corporate Security, in his store on Airline Highway in Baton Rouge, La. Partin visited the store to thank the FEMA Mitigation staff for their Community Education Outreach and the Disaster Survivor Assistance service to survivors. Partin was joined by Clay Rives, Director of Operations for the Louisiana Business Emergency Operation Center and Susan Langhoff, FEMA Assistant External Affairs Officer, Private Sector. (Photo by J.T. Blatty/FEMA)

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Louisiana Flood Survivors Can Get FEMA Rebuilding Advice at Home Improvement Stores

Smithsonian Experts to Share Tips on Salvaging Family Treasures

BATON ROUGE, La. – When homes are flooded and lives are upended, treasured keepsakes such as photos, artwork, quilts and family heirlooms become more cherished. Although they may have been damaged in the flood, these treasures may be salvageable.

For example, photographs can be rinsed gently in clean water and air-dried on a plastic screen or paper towel. They can also be hung with plastic clothespins. It is important the image not come in contact with other surfaces as it dries. Many items can be air-dried – preferably indoors. However, high direct heat from hair dryers and irons or prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause irreversible damage. A better choice is to increase airflow with fans, open windows, air conditioners and dehumidifiers.

Flood survivors can learn how to salvage their treasures directly from Smithsonian Institution preservation experts on Friday, Sept. 23, and Saturday, Sept. 24, at two Disaster Recovery Centers. The experts will demonstrate how to handle, dry and clean damaged objects and share tips on personal safety, setting priorities and other preservation options.

The sessions will be:

Friday, September 23

Lafayette Parish
Lafayette Disaster Recovery Center
301 West University Avenue
Lafayette

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Saturday, September 24

East Baton Rouge Parish
Celtic Disaster Recovery Center
10000 Celtic Drive
Baton Rouge

10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Clyde R. Meyers, Denham Springs flood survivor, holds a photograph of his parents, saturated with floodwater from the 2016 historic flooding in Louisiana. (Photo by J.T. Blatty/FEMA)

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Smithsonian Experts to Share Tips on Salvaging Family Treasures

Disaster Recovery Center in Pointe Coupee Parish Transitions to Disaster Loan Outreach Center to Serve Louisiana Survivors

BATON ROUGE, La. – The U.S. Small Business Administration opened a disaster loan outreach center on Monday, Sept. 19, in Pointe Coupee Parish to assist Louisiana flood survivors. The center will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, until further notice.

Pointe Coupee Parish
Location: New Roads City Hall
211 West Main Street
New Roads, LA 70760
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday through Friday)

The new disaster loan outreach center transitions from the FEMA disaster recovery center in New Roads that ceased operations on Friday, Sept. 16. With the community continuing to repair and rebuild, its need for the disaster recovery center has diminished and the facility will now be transition to a disaster loan outreach center to serve individuals with SBA loans.

Survivors can still visit any other disaster recovery center and may locate other centers near them by going online to fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers, calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362, or downloading the FEMA mobile app.

At the disaster loan outreach center, representatives from the SBA will be available to meet with business owners and residents to answer questions, explain SBA’s disaster loan program, help complete loan applications and close their approved disaster loans. Business owners and residents can meet with SBA representatives on the days and times indicated. No appointment is necessary.

Low-interest disaster loans from the SBA are available for businesses of all sizes including landlords, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters.
Applicants for disaster loans may also apply online using the electronic loan application via SBA’s secure website at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

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Disaster Recovery Center in Pointe Coupee Parish Transitions to Disaster Loan Outreach Center to Serve Louisiana Survivors

Disaster Recovery Center in East Feliciana Parish Will Transition to Disaster Loan Outreach Center to Serve Louisiana Survivors

BATON ROUGE, La. – The U.S. Small Business Administration is opening a disaster loan outreach center on Monday, Sept. 19, in East Feliciana Parish to assist Louisiana flood survivors. The center will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, until further notice.

East Feliciana Parish
Location: Gym at the Early Learning Center
9414 Plank Road
Clinton, LA 70722
Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Monday through Friday)

The new disaster loan outreach center will be transitioning from the FEMA disaster recovery center that will close on Saturday, Sept. 17. With the community continuing to repair and rebuild, its need for the disaster recovery center has diminished and the facility will now be transitioning into a disaster loan outreach center to serve individuals with SBA loans.

At the disaster loan outreach center, SBA customer service representatives are available to meet with business owners and residents to answer questions, explain SBA’s disaster loan program and close their approved disaster loans. Business owners and residents can meet with SBA representatives on the days and times indicated. No appointment is necessary.

Low-interest disaster loans from the SBA are available for businesses of all sizes including landlords, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters. Disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other resources.

Applicants for disaster loans may apply online using the electronic loan application via SBA’s secure website at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or visiting the SBA’s website at sba.gov/disaster. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800-877-8339.

Completed paper applications should be mailed to:

U.S. Small Business Administration
Processing and Disbursement Center
14925 Kingsport Road
Ft. Worth, TX 76155-2243

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Disaster Recovery Center in East Feliciana Parish Will Transition to Disaster Loan Outreach Center to Serve Louisiana Survivors

Disaster Loan Outreach Center to Open in Iberville Parish for Louisiana Survivors

BATON ROUGE, La. – The U.S. Small Business Administration is opening a disaster loan outreach center on Monday, Sept. 19, in Iberville Parish to assist Louisiana flood survivors. The center is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, until further notice.

Iberville Parish

Location: East Iberville Gym
3285 Highway 75
St. Gabriel, LA 70776

Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Monday through Friday)

The new disaster loan outreach center will be transitioning from the FEMA disaster recovery center that will close on Friday, Sept. 16. With the community continuing to repair and rebuild, its need for the disaster recovery center has diminished and the facility will now be transitioning into a disaster loan outreach center to serve individuals with

SBA loans.

Survivors can still visit any other disaster recovery centers and may locate other centers near them by going online to fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers, calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, or downloading the FEMA mobile app.

Applicants for disaster loans may apply online using the electronic loan application via SBA’s secure website at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Completed paper applications should be mailed to:

U.S. Small Business Administration
Processing and Disbursement Center
14925 Kingsport Rd.
Ft. Worth, TX 76155-2243

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Disaster Loan Outreach Center to Open in Iberville Parish for Louisiana Survivors

Disaster Recovery Center in East Feliciana Parish Closing Saturday

BATON ROUGE, La. – The disaster recovery center at the following address is closing at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17:

East Feliciana Parish

Location: Gym at the Early Learning Center
9414 Plank Road (Highway 67)
Clinton, LA 70722

With the community continuing to repair and rebuild, its need for this disaster recovery center has diminished, leading to the facility’s closure.

For more information or to register with FEMA, go online with any computer, smartphone or tablet to DisasterAssistance.gov, call the FEMA Helpline, or download the FEMA mobile app. Help is available in most languages and the FEMA Helpline is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, until further notice.

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Disaster Recovery Center in East Feliciana Parish Closing Saturday

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