Hurricane Laura Response and Recovery Resources Central Louisiana 09.04.20
If you need help simply dial 211. Louisiana 211 in central Louisiana is made possible by your support of the United Way of Central Louisiana.

If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to Suzy Smart with the United Way of Central Louisiana. Suzy can be reached on her cell at 318.542.2640 or by email at suzy@uwcl.org
If you need a need a tree removed from your home or a tree blocking your driveway please call the Louisiana Baptists at 318.449.4218. Please note this is an updated number.
Operation Blue Roof is a free program to get as many houses into livable condition as possible during Hurricane Laura recovery. Operation Blue Roof aims to provide homeowners in
disaster areas with fiber-reinforced sheeting to cover their damaged roofs
until permanent repairs are made.
Residents can sign up for the program online by clicking the logo or residents can call toll free 1-888-766-3258).
FEMA Advisory as of 9/03/20
Hurricane Laura Recovery Update

Key Messages
  • Hurricane Laura survivors in Louisiana should register with FEMA even if they have registered with the agency for previous disasters. FEMA considers each disaster to be a separate event so survivors affected by multiple storms may receive help more than once.
  • The important thing to do now is register for assistance.
  • Go online at www.disasterassistance.gov
  • Call 1-800-621-3362
  • Disaster assistance applicants, who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly.
  • For those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.
  • The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) daily.
  • Registering with any other agency does not constitute a registration with FEMA.
  • If you already called FEMA to register for assistance for damage caused by the recent storms and flooding, you will not need to reapply. You can call the FEMA Helpline (1-800-621-3362) and speak with a representative if you have any questions.
  • FEMA has registered 92,226 survivors in the 16 designated parishes so far. To date, FEMA has put more than $22 million in the hands of hurricane survivors        
  • 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 is also available to the state, eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal (Category A) in Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jefferson Davis parishes.
  • Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures (Category B), including direct federal assistance for Public Assistance, and for hazard mitigation measures in all parishes of the state.
 
Safety:
  • NEVER use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area.
  • Keep these devices outdoors, away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.
  • There are 17 confirmed fatalities to date. Eight of those are due to carbon monoxide from power generators.
  • Extreme heat is impacting Louisiana.
  • If you are outdoors, dress in loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothes.
  • Avoid strenuous work during the hottest part of the day/take frequent breaks.
  • Stay hydrated by drinking plenty water or juice even if you don’t feel thirsty.
  • Know the signs of heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke and what to do if you, or someone else is experiencing those symptoms.
  • Additionally, a few things to remember in hurricane season and Covid-19 environment:
  • Take care of yourself first
  • If you feel sick, please contact your supervisor immediately
  • Complete accountability daily
  • Please have your PPE with you at all time (hand sanitizer, disposable gloves, face covering/mask, wash hands often with soap and warm water)
  • Social distance when possible (wear your face covering)
  • Report emergency by calling 9-1-1 or contact your Supervisor, Safety Officer or Security Officer.
 
Individual Assistance:
  • Currently, Individual Assistance and Public Assistance (Categories A and B) are approved for: Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, Vernon, Grant, Jackson, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, and Winn parishes.
  • Individual Assistance and Public Assistance (Category B only) are approved for: Acadia, Oauchita and Vermilion parishes.
  • All other parishes have been approved for Public Assistance (Category B plus Direct Federal Assistance).
  • Critical Needs Assistance has been approved for eligible survivors. Those having immediate or critical needs because they are displaced from their primary dwelling may be eligible for this additional assistance. This provides a one-time $500 payment per household. Eligibility criteria for critical needs include:
  • A registration has been completed with FEMA.
  • The applicant passes identity verification.
  • At registration, the applicant asserts he or she has critical needs and requests financial assistance for those needs and expenses.
  • Their pre-disaster primary residence is in a parish designated for CNA.
  • The applicant is displaced from the pre-disaster primary residence because of the disaster.
 
Power and Water Restoration:

State, federal and local responders continue working overtime to restore power to the approximately 161,000 Louisiana residents impacted by the hurricane. 
 
Operation Blue Roof:
As of Wednesday, Sept. 2, more than 2,000 Hurricane Laura survivors have signed up for assistance through Operation Blue Roof, managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The no-cost program gives homeowners safe temporary roof protection until a permanent repair is done. Go to usace.army.mil/blueroof or call 888-766-3258 (888-ROOF-BLU).
 
Shelters:
Emergency housing remains a major focus, as impacted residents are filling up designated facilities. In Louisiana 11,954 survivors are staying in congregate and non-congregate housing. In Texas there are 9,997 Louisiana residents placed in emergency housing.

If you need shelter, text LASHELTER to 898-211 for information about where to go or call 211.
 
Food Assistance:

The disaster has disrupted thousands of residents’ ability to buy and prepare food. State agencies and volunteer groups are playing a central role in providing meals to residents, including homebound survivors.

The Salvation Army is operating 16 feeding units. The state is supporting eight food banks in the impacted areas.

With the help of partners, the American Red Cross has already served more than 67,000 meals and snacks in Louisiana and distributed some 20,000 relief items and cleaning supplies. It’s supporting 11 feeding locations in nine cities and five parishes. They are:
  • 100 Municipal Lane, in Ball
  • 5364 LA-113 in Deridder
  • 914 E. Fourth, Dequincy
  • 200 Moeling, Lake Charles
  • 2401 First, Lake Charles
  • 935 Third Ave, Lake Charles
  • 200 N. Third, Leesville;
  • 7061 LA-110 in Merryville
  • 300 Hazel, in Sulphur
  • 900 Horridge St. in Vinton
  • 112 S. Adams in Welsh
 
Debris Removal:

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has launched a public website with a real-time map showing how many roads have been cleared of debris. The site, 511la.org, also features maps showing roads due to be cleared within the next 24 hours.
 
Small Business Administration:
Louisiana hurricane survivors may also be eligible for financial assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

What Types of Disaster Loans are Available?

  • Business Physical Disaster Loans – Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.
  • Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) – Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.
  • Home Disaster Loans – Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles.
  • Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at www.disasterloanassistance.sba.govApplicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email www.disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

State Resources:
  • The State of Louisiana has launched an online hub for Hurricane Laura information at hurricanelaura.la.gov, which will highlight news and links to resources. The governor’s office is adding a Laura-specific texting list to give people wanting updates on Hurricane Laura. People can text LAURA to 67283.
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Helping people before, during, and after disasters.