fema

The Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative, a cooperative of more than 100 river communities between Minnesota and Louisiana, held its annual meeting this week in Minnesota’s Twin Cities. In response to FEMA’s uncertain future, the MRCTI, in partnership with Convoy of Hope, announced a new program to deliver assistance to its members within 72 hours of a disaster event.

State leaders say they remain prepared for this year’s hurricane season, but New Orleans officials fear federal cuts to disaster relief.

Gov. Jeff Landry doubled down Tuesday on his belief that Louisiana is prepared should a natural disaster strike.

The Mississippi River is the nation’s most endangered river, a national conservation group says, because of federal plans to cut flood relief programs as severe weather threats grow.

Experts say there is widespread misconception about FEMA’s role.

Officials acknowledged that the affordable housing crisis has played a significant role in keeping people from getting back on their feet after Hurricane Ida.

Wednesday officially marked 18 months since Hurricane Ida tore into Montegut, Chauvin, Pointe-aux-chenes, Dulac and other small villages along Louisiana’s Gulf Coast. But it’s still common to see spans of FEMA-blue tarps covering damaged sections of roofs and walls.

Staying put in the face of flooding can be dangerous and is growing increasingly costly. Property taxes are the largest source of tax revenue for local governments in most states, but property value declines as flood risk increases. Local governments have doubled their infrastructure spending while federal funding remains relatively flat. The federal government covers about 40% of water and transportation construction, but states are left to maintain it.

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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.