Thousands of flooded Terrebonne homes may not be eligible fo

[sunny]

Interesting....

wwltv.com


Thousands of flooded Terrebonne homes may not be eligible for FEMA aid

03:08 PM CDT on Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Kimberly Solet / Houma Courier

HOUMA -- Nearly 10,000 Terrebonne Parish homes were severely damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Rita, but officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency said they had to investigate whether residents are eligible for disaster relief.

In a memo Monday, William Lokey, FEMA’s deputy federal coordinating officer, wrote that although Gov. Kathleen Blanco asked for all parishes to be declared disasters, and eligible for relief money, only the Louisiana parishes that suffered hurricane-force winds have been included.

Saturday, FEMA declared nine Texas counties and five coastal Louisiana parishes in the southwest portion of the state disaster areas and eligible for individual assistance -- including low-interest loans to rebuild damage homes -- as a result of Rita.

In his memo, Lokey wrote that although Blanco wanted all parishes included in FEMA’s disaster-assistance program, "FEMA determined to initially include only parishes which sustained hurricane-force winds."

Terrebonne sustained tropical-storm-force winds during Rita, but a 9-foot storm surge swamped thousands of homes and displaced a significant portion of the parish population.

Lokey wrote that FEMA is working with state officials to determine whether residents in additional parishes need help.

A news release issued by the federal agency Sunday states that "within the next few days" the inclusion of other parishes impacted by Rita would be assessed. The notice states that information about more areas included in the affect area would be released once assessments are complete.

FEMA disaster benefits include aid for damaged property and homes, unemployment benefits for self-employed workers and temporary-housing assistance. Grants for home repairs and loans through the Small Business Administration for individuals and businesses also are available.

Officials at FEMA’s Baton Rouge headquarters told The Associated Press Monday that it was unclear whether Terrebonne residents hit by Rita were eligible for assistance. The parish remained under a disaster declaration from Hurricane Katrina but was not declared a disaster area for Rita. Officials were checking to see if residents were eligible for Rita help.

Stephanie Leger, director of state and federal relations for the state, said five parishes have been included for FEMA aid based on hurricane wind models that indicated they were most affected.

Leger said the state is pressing hard for FEMA to work quickly to include other devastated parishes in its disaster coverage, including Terrebonne. The state has drafted a letter to FEMA that should be sent out soon stating that "when we meant include all parishes, we meant all," said Leger.

"The problem is it’s FEMA’s assessment, and it’s up to them to do it," she said.

State Rep. Damon Baldone, D-Houma, said today that he has received calls about FEMA not declaring Terrebonne a disaster area, but he expects the parish’s status to change because "it’s obvious we’re a disaster."

"I would tell people not to worry. We’re getting disaster money. It’s going to happen," said Baldone. "It’s getting a lot of people shaken up for nothing because we’re definitely a disaster area. That is obvious, and FEMA will be here soon I have no doubt about it."

On Monday, Terrebonne Parish President Don Schwab said the administration has received lots of calls from residents who are angry they can’t get FEMA aid and wondering why the parish hasn’t been declared a disaster area.

Schwab said the federal government makes that decision, and local officials have nothing to do with it.

"I’m very upset," he said. "It’s not us that make the call."

Schwab said he thinks part of the delay is because FEMA went to southwestern Louisiana first to assess the damage and the agency’s officials haven’t had a chance to survey here. Schwab said he planned to talk with U.S. Sen. David Vitter, D-La., later Monday to about the delay.

Courier staff writer Jeremy Shapiro contributed to this story.

[artist]

just heard Brown say today that Orleans Parrish was never declared by the Gov. - but they went in there anyway.

[therealashe]

Wakulla county in FL was declared during Dennis. It was all storm surge damage, we really didn't have hurricane force winds.

[HollynLA]

I can guarantee you that Terrebone is a disaster area. check out the photo galleries here http://www.houmatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage

I live in Dulac (half the time) which is in lower Terrebone and under 8' of water due to Rita.

[sunny]

I've seen pictures which is why I do not understand this, Holly.

[zoeyann]

Holly did you get water in your house? Is everything okay? I am so relieved we have been declared. I have been going crazy trying to get some help. My insurence company said they don't even have ajusters in the area right now so this may help. Everyone here seems to be running into the same roadblocks. Anyway I hope everything is okay for you and your family, hopefully we can all dry out soon