[LA Woman3]

FEMA brings in trailers



Must be quite the sight to see....
New type of Mardi Gras parade!

[Ellesu]

Press Releases

Date: 9/16/2005

Contact: Denise Bottcher or Roderick Hawkins at 225-342-9037


Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco's letter to President George W. Bush requesting FEMA to provide 100% of the disaster assistance cost for one full year

September 12, 2005

The Honorable George W. Bush
The President
The White House
Washington, DC 20502
VIA FACSIMILIE: (202) 456-1907
Dear Mr. President:

The toll of Hurricane Katrina on the State of Louisiana is clearly now becoming evident. Direct losses from the disaster are now expected to total over $100 billion, which makes this event the single largest natural disaster in the history of the United States. In addition to these drastic losses, I am equally concerned about the indirect losses from this hurricane, to include: a dramatic economic decline of the areas most impacted by this event; and the subsequent decline in State and local tax revenues (which translate into a decline in our ability to provide services at exactly the time when such services will be most needed, during the years of recovery).

The severity and magnitude of these impacts lead me to the conclusion that at least over the next year, the State of Louisiana will be unable to provide for the cost-share match associated with Federal disaster assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ("the Stafford Act"). It is for this reason that I am asking you to take the significant step of allowing FEMA to provide 100% of the cost of this disaster assistance under the Act until August 29, 2006, exactly one-year from the date that Hurricane Katrina impacted our State. Providing this level of assistance will allow time for the State of Louisiana and the Federal government to better understand both the short- and long-term economic impacts of this catastrophe, and thus determine if a continuation of the 100% Federal cost-share is warranted beyond the one-year mark.

The State of Louisiana is in great need of Federal assistance both immediately and in the long-term aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I look forward to your approval of my request as soon as possible. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this matter further, please contact me.

Respectfully,



Kathleen Babineaux Blanco
Governor


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[Ellesu]

Press Releases

Date: 9/16/2005

Contact: Denise Bottcher or Roderick Hawkins at 225-342-9037


MEDIA ADVISORY: Correction-Governor Blanco to pray with evacuees in Monroe, tour state's first community shelter

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Innovative concept to be used as shelter model

BATON ROUGE--Participating in the National Day of Prayer, Governor Blanco will travel to Monroe this afternoon, joining evacuees in a prayer service at an American Red Cross (ARC) shelter. Afterward, Governor Blanco will tour the shelter.

In her speech to the Louisiana Legislature on Wednesday, Governor Blanco described the state's first community shelter as an innovative concept that FEMA and the ARC should embrace and replicate.

"We are creating communities in shelters, making them more than just places to sleep and eat," Governor Blanco said Wednesday night. "I look forward to visiting our first community shelter located in Monroe. A facility that includes a library, post office, a bank, child care center, and more."
Governor Blanco has also directed the state Department of Labor to invest millions to employ residents to run the shelters where they live.


2 p.m. Governor Blanco arrives at Red Cross evacuee shelter at 22 State Farm Rd. (Off of Hwy. 165 South) Monroe, LA 71201, for ecumenical prayer service with evacuees.

2:30 p.m. Governor Blanco tours Red Cross shelter and meets with evacuees.

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