BATON ROUGE, La. — Recovery efforts in Louisiana continue following the historic August floods, and many survivors are still coping with the immediate effects of the disaster. While obvious problems such as home repair preoccupy some Louisianans, there is a quieter, more ominous issue that may threaten flood survivors.Disaster-related distress is a silent, serious threat to any individual affected by a major disaster. It can manifest in the form of depression, anxiety or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to the National Center for PTSD, more than 50 percent of those...

BATON ROUGE, La. – FEMA flood-insurance rate maps identify areas subject to flooding and establish various zones in a community on which to base premiums. But they can do something else: help first responders, government officials and others prepare for an oncoming deluge.It was these maps that kept an older gentleman from being trapped during the floods of August. William Wilson grew concerned as the rains fell heavily in the area around his southern Louisiana home, between the Amite River and Jones Creek. Wilson’s son, Houston landscape architect Kirk Wilson, routinely...

Official website of the Department of Homeland SecurityOriginal linkOriginal author: crystal.garner

BATON ROUGE, La. — Submit your U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loan application now to prevent missing out on potential funding for your recovery.An SBA loan can help repair flood-related damage to your home or business and replace personal property. SBA representatives provide one-on-one assistance through the entire disaster loan process to assist in your recovery.Landlords and most private non-profits, including churches, are eligible for low-interest SBA disaster loans. State and federal recovery officials encourage them to apply.A loan offer provides the financial resources to pay for repairs if...

BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana disaster survivors affected by August flooding have one week left to register for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The deadline to register is Monday, Nov. 14, 2016.Survivors may register with FEMA by going online with any computer, smartphone or tablet to DisasterAssistance.gov, calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362, or downloading the FEMA mobile app. Survivors who use a TTY may call 800-462-7585 to register. Survivors can also register for assistance at any FEMA disaster recovery center. To find a disaster recovery center near...

BATON ROUGE, La. — The U.S. Small Business Administration is opening a disaster loan outreach center on Tuesday, Nov. 8, in Vermilion Parish to assist Louisiana flood survivors. The center will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, until further notice. Vermilion ParishLocation:  Old Health Unit                  401 S. St. Charles St.                  Abbeville, LA 70510Hours:      9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Monday through Friday)The new disaster loan outreach center will be transitioning from the FEMA disaster recovery center at the same address that will cease operations at 6 p.m. on Nov....

Official website of the Department of Homeland SecurityOriginal linkOriginal author: sylvia.obear

BATON ROUGE, La. –Livingston Parish school campuses have reopened for students and teachers with the help of a $17.5 million FEMA grant.The grant paid for work to eliminate health and safety hazards so thousands of Livingston Parish students could return to school. Damage from August’s floods forced parish schools to close for a month. Work included removing wet floors, walls and contents and other mold elimination measures like drying and cleaning.Students returned to the following 11 refurbished Livingston Parish school campuses: Doyle Elementary, Holden School, Springfield Elementary, Denham Springs Junior High,...

BATON ROUGE, La. –Livingston Parish school campuses have reopened for students and teachers with the help of a $17.5 million FEMA grant.The grant paid for work to eliminate health and safety hazards so thousands of Livingston Parish students could return to school. Damage from August’s floods forced parish schools to close for a month. Work included removing wet floors, walls and contents and other mold elimination measures like drying and cleaning.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Students returned to the following 11 refurbished Livingston Parish school campuses: Doyle Elementary, Holden School, Springfield Elementary, Denham Springs Junior High,...

BATON ROUGE, La. – They come from a variety of backgrounds and bring something a little extra to their new jobs with FEMA. Many local hires with the agency have been affected by the August flooding in Louisiana or know someone who has. All take a special interest in the area’s recovery.FEMA hires local workers for temporary, full-time jobs at disaster recovery offices. A local workforce, employed until the disaster recovery mission ends, helps free FEMA staff to move to the next disaster assignment. Local employees also bring knowledge about the...