For Immediate Release
OFFICE OF THE PRESS SECRETARY
September 16, 2004
Statement on Federal Assistance for Louisiana
The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State
of Louisiana and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local
recovery efforts in the area struck by Hurricane Ivan beginning on
September 13, 2004, and continuing.
The President's action makes Federal funding available to affected
individuals in the parishes of Jefferson, Lafourche, Orleans,
Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St, Charles, St. Tammany, and Terrebonne.
Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home
repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other
programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the
effects of the disaster.
Federal funding also is available to State and eligible local
governments in the parishes of Assumption, Jefferson, Lafourche,
Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St, Charles, St. James, St. John the
Baptist, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, and Washington for debris
removal and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal
assistance, at 100 percent of the total eligible costs for a period of
up to 72 hours.
Federal funding is available on a cost-share basis for hazard
mitigation measures in the parishes of Ascension, Assumption,
Avoyelles, Beauregard, Bossier, Caddo, Concordia, East Baton Rouge,
East Feliciana, Grant, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lafourche, Livingston,
Orleans, Ouachita, Plaquemines, Rapides, St. Bernard, St, Charles, St.
Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Martin, St. Tammany,
Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, and West Feliciana.
Representing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),
Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and
Response, Department of Homeland Security, named Sandra Coachman as the
Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the
affected area.
The Agency said that more parishes and additional forms of
assistance may be designated as soon as damage surveys can be completed
in the affected area.
The Agency said that those who sustained losses in the counties
designated for aid to affected individuals and business owners can
begin applying for assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362), or
1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The
toll-free telephone numbers will be in operation 24 hours a day, seven
days a week until further notice.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FEMA (202) 646-4600.
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