Assumption Parish Alerts

FEMA's Daily Fact Sheet 016 – Hurricane Ida Sept. 16, 2021

Daily Fact Sheet 016 – Hurricane Ida
Sept. 16, 2021

Key Messages

  • More FEMA specialists will be available today in Louisiana parishes to help Hurricane Ida survivors apply for disaster assistance.
    • Several small, temporary FEMA disaster recovery centers have opened in hurricane-effected areas and FEMA teams are going door to door in communities – a combined effort by the state and FEMA to reach survivors.
    • Check the FEMA App or visit the FEMA DRC Locator to find the locations and hours of operation for temporary Disaster Recovery Centers.
  • The Recovery Service Center in Lake Charles reopened today at 9 a.m. after closing for several days due to Tropical Depression Nicholas.
    • The center will be open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., through Oct. 8.
  • FEMA’s Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) teams are working in 18 parishes: Ascension Assumption, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne and Washington.
  • Even though Tropical Depression Nicholas has moved out of Louisiana, FEMA reminds residents and survivors of Hurricane Ida to continue to take precautions.
    • A flash flood watch remains in effect for parts of Louisiana.
    • Please be safe, listen to local officials and watch for emergency alerts.
  • To speak with a FEMA Community Education and Outreach staff member about steps you can take to reduce your risk of future flood, wind and other damage, call 833-FEMA-4-US or 833-336-2487. You can also visit: Louisiana Mitigation (connectsolutions.com) or for Spanish visit: Spanish Repairing and Rebuilding after a Hurricane (connectsolutions.com).
  • Debris pick-up is a priority as Louisianans recover from Hurricane Ida. FEMA urges survivors to remove debris promptly and properly, and to document damage with photos or video.
    • Be careful when cleaning up debris, and do not touch loose, dangling or downed wires.
    • Move debris from your private property to public rights-of-way for pick up and removal by local governments for a limited time.
    • Separate debris into six categories: household garbage, construction debris, vegetative debris, hazardous waste, large appliances and electronics. For more information, go to ladotd-state-highway-reporting-ds.hub.arcgis.com/

Individuals and Households Program

  • FEMA has approved more than 348,000 applications for disaster assistance and more than $374 million to help Louisiana residents recover.
  • Hurricane Ida survivors in Louisiana can now call the FEMA Helpline 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to apply for disaster assistance. You can apply for disaster assistance at disasterassistance.gov, by calling 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585) or by using the FEMA mobile app. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service.
  • Hurricane Ida survivors planning to appeal a FEMA decision should keep the following helpful info in mind:
    • You must send your appeal letter to FEMA with 60 days.
    • You should carefully read FEMA’s letter to understand what the agency is asking of you.
    • You must include evidence to support your appeal request such as:
      • Letters from your insurance company to support your case.
      • A copy of a utility bill or driver’s license to show proof of occupancy.
      • A copy of your mortgage or insurance document to show proof you own your home.
    • Don’t forget to sign and date your appeal, and include your nine-digit FEMA application number, your disaster number (DR-4611-LA) and documents you can show as proof.
  • As Louisiana homeowners and renters begin receiving their FEMA disaster funds, it’s important that survivors keep their spending on track and use the money for specified disaster-related expenses, including:
    • Home repairs (e.g., structure, water, septic and sewage systems)
    • Rental assistance for rent and/or a deposit
    • Repair or replacement of an essential vehicle
    • Medical or dental care for an uninsured injury caused by the disaster
    • Necessary educational materials (e.g., computers, schoolbooks, supplies)
    • Moving and storage expenses related to the disaster
    • Replacement of essential personal property such as appliances or bed from an occupied bedroom
    • Increased childcare expenses
  • Individuals and households who have immediate or critical needs because they are displaced from their primary dwelling may be eligible for the Critical Needs Assistance (CNA) program, which covers food, water, prescriptions, medical supplies and other life-saving and life-sustaining items. CNA is a one-time $500 payment per household.
  • FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program is available to eligible residents of Louisiana who have been affected by Hurricane Ida. FEMA will identify survivors who may be eligible and have a need for this short-term emergency sheltering program.
    • FEMA-funded hotels are limited to Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas.
  • FEMA may be able to help Hurricane Ida survivors cover some disaster expenses if their insurance does not. If you were affected by Ida and have insurance, first contact your insurance company.
    • Insurance policies may include Additional Living Expenses (ALE) or Loss of Use (LOU) coverage, which provide supplemental money for increased costs, such as temporary housing, when you are unable to live in your home due to a loss covered by insurance.
    • If you have exhausted ALE or LOU funds from your insurance settlement, FEMA may be able to assist with your disaster-related temporary housing, like rental assistance and lodging expense reimbursement.
  • Louisiana survivors who purchased or rented a generator and/or chainsaw as a result of Hurricane Ida may be eligible for a reimbursement. Keep in mind, FEMA cannot reimburse equipment paid for by another source such as homeowner’s, flood or other types of insurance.
    • To be eligible for reimbursement of a chainsaw, it must have been used to gain access to the home or remove hazards from the home after Ida.
    • To be eligible for reimbursement of a generator, it must have been purchased or rented due to a disruption in electrical utility services as a result of the disaster.
    • Survivors experiencing a power outage should never use a generator inside a home, garage, basement, crawl space or any partially enclosed area. Keep generators outdoors, away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to seep indoors. Also, don’t fill your generators while they’re hot.

Operation Blue Roof

  • Hurricane Ida survivors in all 25 Louisiana parishes eligible for Individual Assistance can sign up for a free temporary roof through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Operation Blue Roof program.
    • This is a free service to primary residential homes and permanently occupied rental properties. To register, call 888-ROOF-BLU or 888-766-3258. Or, visit Blueroof.us
    • There is a high call volume. If your call goes to voicemail, hang up and try calling again.
  • As of Sept. 16, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has received over 58,000 requests to install temporary roofing. To date, 966 temporary roofs have been installed on Louisiana homes.
  • USACE representatives will be available in person to assist survivors in signing up for program at three locations. These locations will be open daily, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
      • Plaquemines Parish: Port Sulphur, 218 School Road, Port Sulphur, LA 70083 (YMCA)
      • Lafourche Parish: 4876 Highway 1, Raceland, LA 70394 (EOC)
      • Terrebonne Parish: 2161 Grand Caillou Rd, Houma, LA 70363 (Grand Caillou Middle School)
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U.S. Small Business Administration Helping Survivors

  • Federal low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to businesses, homeowners and renters. As of Sept. 16, SBA has approved 1,617 loans for a total of more than $68.9 million.
  • You may call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or visit www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call 800-877-8339.
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National Flood Insurance Program

  • FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is ready to assist policyholders who experienced losses due to flooding from Hurricane Ida. Contact your insurance agent to report your loss. If you can’t remember the name or number of the insurance company, call NFIP at 877-336-2627.
    • Claims filed in Louisiana as of Sept. 15: 11,590. Total paid: $35.4 million.
  • There are nearly 6,000 expired NFIP policies across the 25 Louisiana parishes designated for Individual Assistance that are in their 30-day renewal grace period.
    • It’s important that policyholders renew, so they are able to make a claim on any losses they face.
    • If your NFIP policy recently expired, ask your agent if you are still within a renewal grace period. You may be able to pay in full to renew and be covered for a loss during that time.
  • Local officials who may have questions about their community’s post-storm floodplain management responsibilities, including permitting and substantially damaged structures, can get answers virtually.
    • Recurring Q&A Zoom meetings are held Monday through Friday, 2-3 p.m. CT. Use ZoomGov meeting Launch Meeting - Zoom (zoomgov.com) .
      • Meeting ID: 161 806 9501
      • Passcode: 939930
      • Officials can also call (551) 285-1373. Registration is not required
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Beware of Fraud

  • Survivors should be aware of con artists and criminals trying to take advantage of them, posing as phony property inspectors or phony building contractors. Thieves also may try to steal money or your personal information through fraud by directing you to apply on their website.
  • Report scams, fraud and identity theft to FEMA’s toll-free Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721. Or, contact the Louisiana Attorney General Consumer Protection Section, P.O. Box 94005, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9005. Or fax your complaint to: 225-326-6499.

Additional Resources

  • The Emergency Prescription Assistance Program works with community pharmacies to process claims for prescription medications, vaccines and medical equipment to survivors after a declared disaster. For prescription help, call 855-793-7470 or visit: https://www.phe.gov/Preparedness/planning/epap/Pages/epap-status.aspx.
  • HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration activated its Disaster Distress Helpline. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 via telephone or text at 800-985-5990 for disaster survivors experiencing emotional distress.
  • Businesses and residents in the 25 designated parishes can apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) if their employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Ida. DUA became available Aug. 29 and will continue until March 5, 2022. Visit LAWorks.net to apply.
  • The Crisis Cleanup Hotline is in operation for survivors who need help with clean up and removal of damage from Hurricane Ida. The hotline will connect you with volunteers, local relief organizations and faith and community groups to help with cutting fallen trees; removing drywall, flooring and appliances; tarping roofs; and mold mitigation. Call 844-965-1386 to request assistance. The hotline will remain open until Oct. 1.
  • Department of Children and Family Services: While the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) has not yet been approved for Hurricane Ida, you can pre-register now to get a head start on your application if the program is approved for your parish. Visit dcfs.la.gov/preregister for more information.
  • Louisiana participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can use their benefits to purchase “hot” or prepared foods through Sept. 28 following a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. More information about the “hot foods” waiver can be found at http://dcfs.louisiana.gov/page/snap-hot-foods-waiver.

Major Disaster Declaration

  • 25 parishes are designated for FEMA Individual Assistance: Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana. 
  • 25 parishes are designated for FEMA Public Assistance (CAT A-Emergency Work): Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana. 
  • Seven parishes are designated for FEMA Public Assistance (CAT C-G Permanent Work): Jefferson, Lafourche, Orleans, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist and Terrebonne parishes.
  • All 64 Louisiana parishes are approved for federal assistance for CAT B-Emergency Protective Measures.
  • Tropical Strom Nicholas: Federal emergency aid has been made available to Louisiana to supplement state, tribal and local response efforts to protect areas affected by Nicholas, beginning Sept. 12, and continuing.
    • The Emergency Declaration allows FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief efforts and to help save lives; protect property, public health and safety; and lessen the threat of a catastrophe in all 64 Louisiana parishes.

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