Hurricane Rita

I am still in SW Louisiana working as a FEMA employee in the Rita recovery program. Yes, I said Rita (not Katrina). Here is what is happening out here.

March 3, 2006
DR-1603/1607-06-380
Hurricane Recovery News Desk 225-376-5000State: 225-925-7427Disaster News

BY THE NUMBERS: FEMA RECOVERY UPDATE IN SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA
LAKE CHARLES, La. — Here is an update of federal and state agency accomplishments in the five months since Hurricane Rita hit the parishes of Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, De Soto, Evangeline, Iberia, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, St. Landry, St. Mary, Terrebonne, Vermilion, and Vernon in Southwest Louisiana.

5
Disaster Recovery Centers remain open in Southwest Louisiana. DRC's are one-stop information centers where victims can learn more about different types of state and federal disaster assistance, including loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for homeowners, renters and business owners.

55


To date, 55 vessels have been removed by the U.S. Coast Guard, under a FEMA-funded mission assignment.

90

As a result of Hurricane Rita, FEMA has employed approximately 90 residents of the affected parishes.

1,714



In addition to household debris removal from rights-of-way, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has cleared debris from 1,714 residential properties impacted by Rita under a FEMA- funded mission assignment

12,205
Presently, 12,205 travel trailers and mobile homes are temporary homes for hurricane victims.

18,115
18,115 damaged roofs have been temporarily protected under FEMA’s “Blue Roof” program, operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

204,416
FEMA has completed 204,416 housing inspections.

$ 8.3 million
FEMA has approved over $8 million in disaster unemployment assistance for 860 eligible victims of Hurricane Rita who signed up during the application period.

$ 8.8 million
FEMA has approved $8.8 million in Community Disaster Loans to help keep essential services online in communities hardest hit by Rita.

$ 32.3 million
The SBA has approved 427 business disaster assistance loans totaling $32.3 million.

$ 45.7 million
For homeowners and renters, the SBA has approved a total of 861 disaster loans, totaling over $45.7 million in Southwest Louisiana.

$ 65 million
More than $65 million in federal dollars has been obligated for 809 Public Assistance projects, such as debris removal and emergency services in Southwest Louisiana parishes.

$ 76.5 million
More than $76.5 million has been approved for 47,784 Hurricane Rita applicants for Other Needs Assistance. The program provides assistance for serious, disaster-related needs to impacted individuals.

$ 369.3 million
FEMA has issued 148,817 housing assistance checks, totaling $369.3 million

$ 525 million
FEMA projects that $525 million in claims will be filed under the National Flood Insurance Program by policyholders in Southwest Louisiana. To date over $321 million has been paid out.

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003. ###