BATON ROUGE, La. — Federal funding for recovery has topped $400 million one year after the August 2016 floods.
As of July 14, FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program has obligated a total of $403 million to reimburse local and state governments as well as certain private nonprofits for eligible recovery costs. This amount includes repair and emergency services, debris removal and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged facilities and infrastructure.
Of the total amount, more than $285 million was designated to reimburse for eligible emergency protective measures taken during the August disaster. Included in that amount are debris removal that costs associated with the floods. The total also includes $84 million to declared parishes for debris removal.
To date, FEMA has awarded nearly $87 million for schools in South Louisiana. Funding will pay for recovery efforts such as flood clean up, demolition of damaged structures, debris removal services and other construction costs, as well as funding for temporary facilities.
Disaster funding continues to flow. FEMA’s PA program helps to repair or replace critical infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, public buildings and schools. PA offers supplemental financial assistance on a cost-sharing basis. FEMA typically reimburses 75 percent of eligible PA expenses. However, FEMA will reimburse applicants 90 percent of eligible PA expenses given the magnitude of the August floods.
