Sen. Landrieu, Rep. Richmond, Mayor Landrieu Announce $27.3M in Hurricane Isaac Recovery Grants
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., chair of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, U.S. Representative Cedric Richmond, D-La., and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu today announced $27.3 million in federal funding for response efforts in Louisiana related to Hurricane Isaac. These grants, provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance Program, will reimburse the City of New Orleans for a portion of its costs for emergency protective measures and debris removal.
"Hurricane Isaac disrupted the lives of thousands of Louisiana residents and businesses," Sen. Landrieu said. "This money is a critical step to help residents and businesses begin to function as normal, as well as reimburse the state for emergency preparedness and response measures taken."
"As we continue to assess damages caused by Hurricane Isaac just two short weeks ago, I am proud to see FEMA has already begun to allocate funds to assist us in our recovery efforts," Rep. Richmond said. "With Isaac touching down on the anniversary of Katrina, this funding affirms our country's commitment to become a stronger partner in supporting the families, and businesses who remain steadfast in continuing to work and live in the great state of Louisiana."
"I want to thank our partners at FEMA and GOHSEP for this expedited funding which ensures a speedy recovery from Hurricane Isaac for our residents," said Mayor Mitch Landrieu. "This quick work is also another example of how well local, state and federal governments have worked together during this emergency."
Today's grants provide:
- $5.9 million to the City of New Orleans (CNO) to remove mud, silt and sand from the right of way in catch basins and roads. High winds and heavy rainfall from Hurricane Isaac resulted in debris, heavy marsh grass and mud being deposited onto roads and public parks.
- $9.3 million to reimburse CNO for force account labor and equipment for emergency protective measures including eligible police security and patrols, barricading of streets, traffic control, search and rescue, emergency rescue and transportation, sheltering, keeping emergency routes open, and keeping major drainage systems and pumps operating and purchases for emergency supplies, materials and equipment. An estimated 2,900 CNO employees from ten departments were activated as emergency responders to provide emergency protective measures necessary to eliminate or reduce an immediate threat to life, public health or safety or to reduce or eliminate an immediate threat of significant damage to improve public or private property through cost-effective measures.
- $2.1 million to CNO for debris removal activities, including the monitoring and documentation of hazards to be removed from the city's right of ways, parks, and public roads.
- $6 million to CNO for emergency work contracts to unclog drainage catch basins, replace missing signage, repair traffic signals, secure and make safe downed streetlights, and restore damaged streetlights.
- $4 million to the Louisiana Office of Emergency Preparedness for the purchase and distribution of 120,708 cases of Meals Ready to Eat (MRE's) throughout Louisiana for the health and safety of its citizens.
- 30 -
