disaster relief

Amish groups have stepped in to help Louisiana storm victims rebuild when other forms of aid have ended. It’s also led to cultural exchanges and connections.

Monday, Nov. 29, is the final day for south Louisiana residents who were affected by Hurricane Ida to apply for disaster relief from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

FEMA disaster relief applications have been extended for Hurricane Ida victims in 25 parishes after Gov. John Bel Edwards’ request was approved. The new deadline is Nov. 29.

More than a year after three natural disasters -- including hurricanes and extreme flooding events -- pummeled Southwest Louisiana, the federal government is moving forward with a disaster relief package which will send $595 million to Calcasieu Parish for recovery, the Associated Press reports.

The Louisiana Oyster Task Force hopes to revive a state-run program created after Hurricane Katrina that would help oyster harvesters rehabilitate their fishing grounds and save the state from poor harvests in the next few years.

FEMA isn’t expected to start taking applications for temporary shelters from the thousands of Hurricane Ida victims who lost homes until mid-November, so state officials are getting the ball rolling with a first-of-its-kind sheltering program.

Hurricane Ida recovery efforts are moving slowly, particularly when it comes to housing, after a vote for disaster aid and the debt ceiling failed this week and resulted in a Congressional spat.

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter and other elected southwest Louisiana officials called on the federal government in a press conference Tuesday to send relief for the series of disasters that hit the region over the past year.

More than two months after the storm, the House of Representatives passed a bill to spend $50 billion to help Eastern states struck by Hurricane Sandy. But some scientists and engineers say there's danger in rushing ahead to rebuild a coastline that's sure to get hit again.