On Tuesday, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate sent a public letter detailing his agency’s efforts in responding to the massive flooding in Louisiana. Below is the full text of his letter:
Last week Louisiana was struck by an intense, slow-moving storm that produced record rainfall, up to 30 inches in some places, that flooded an expansive area across the lower half of the state — robbing so many Louisianans of their businesses, homes, and sense of security.
Since before the flooding began, FEMA has been working hand-in-hand with Louisiana officials to respond and help in the recovery efforts — from providing shelter and housing and warm meals, to helping support home repairs and meet other serious disaster-related needs. As of this week, we’ve approved more than $127 million to help survivors with home repairs, rental assistance and other needs, and to advance payments to flood insurance policyholders who sustained damages, providing expedited relief.
That’s exactly what the President directed us to do: Support and assist the people of Louisiana, no matter what it takes.
FEMA with our federal, state, private sector, and nonprofit partners are working around the clock to help make sure Louisianans have what they need to recover and rebuild their lives. Recovery is a long-term process, it’s important that Louisianans know: You’re not in this alone and we’re with you for the long haul.
You can get the latest information on what’s happening on the ground here.
And if you or anyone you know has been impacted by this flooding, here are a few key resources that you can use and share:
To find the nearest Disaster Recovery Center visit www.fema.gov/DRC, use the FEMA Mobile Application, or text DRC and your zip code to 43362 (4FEMA).
If you are a resident or business owner who has sustained losses in the designated parishes, you can apply for assistance from FEMA by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.
And if you want to do what you can to help the people of Louisiana get back on their feet, you can visit www.VolunteerLouisiana.gov to see how you can contribute to the response and recovery efforts.
Long after these floods recede and fall away from the headlines, FEMA and our colleagues in the federal response effort will be here alongside state officials as long as we are needed. It’s our job to help make sure every community can recover and rebuild.
And that’s what we plan to do.
Thanks,
Craig Fugate
Administrator
Federal Emergency Management Agency
