More FEMA Funds Coming

The Federal Emergency Management Agency said Monday it would send another $390 million of hazard mitigation funds to Louisiana parishes most affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005.

The parishes must use the money to repair damaged levees and increase flood protection for schools and other public facilities.

Homeowners in the parishes can also be eligible for FEMA money to elevate structures and install hurricane-proof windows.

The state had already received $1.4 billion for flood-mitigation projects.

The extra funding was released when FEMA officials agreed with the state’s congressional delegation that earlier allocations were not based on true costs of damages from the two hurricanes.

Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., said the funding level was calculated 18 months after the disasters, which was not enough time to adequately assess the total storm damage.

In many cases, she said, the true extent of the damage could not be determined until five years or more had passed.

“This is really a big deal for our state,” Landrieu said. “It was right to conduct a recalculation of the original amount, which shortchanged Louisiana and our ongoing recovery efforts.”

Landrieu said most of the new FEMA funding would go to Orleans, St. Bernard and Cameron parishes.

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