A federal disaster declaration has been issued in Louisiana for Orleans and Livingston Parishes following the tornadoes and severe storms that hit South Louisiana on February 7, 2017. The declaration was issued on February 11, 2017, by President Donald Trump upon the request of Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards.
FEMA individual assistance will be available for residents and homeowners in Orleans and Livingston Parishes, including grants or low-cost loans for temporary housing, home repairs, and uninsured property losses, among other programs. To register with FEMA, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, call the FEMA Helpline at (800) 621-FEMA (3362), or download the FEMA mobile app.
Homeowners may be eligible for up to $200,000 to replace or repair their primary residence through the Home and Personal Property Loans program administered through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Homeowners and renters may be eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.
Businesses of any size and most private nonprofit organizations may be eligible for loans of up to $2 million to repair or replace real property, machinery, equipment fixtures, inventory, and leasehold improvements through the Business Physical Disaster Loans program administered through the SBA.
Small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and most private nonprofit organizations may be eligible for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster, regardless of property damage. The SBA’s economic injury program extends beyond Orleans and Livingston Parishes, to the contiguous Louisiana Parishes of Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Helena, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany and Tangipahoa.
More details on the SBA programs, including loan details and interest rates, can be found at the SBA Fact Sheet for Louisiana Declaration #15045 & #15046.
FEMA has provided a summary of key federal aid programs that can be made available as needed under the disaster declaration.
A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) is opening in Orleans Parish effective February 13, 2017, at East New Orleans Public Library, 5641 Read Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70127. Homeowners, renters, and businesses can visit the DRC to apply for or seek information regarding federal disaster assistance. Representatives will be on site from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Small Business Administration, the City of New Orleans, and other volunteer groups and agencies.
FEMA can be reached by phone at (800) 621-FEMA (3362).
The SBA Customer Service Center can be reached by phone at (800) 659-2955.