fema

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.

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.

Here are the programs that FEMA offers for Hurricane Ida survivors in Louisiana and how to use them.

On the day before the anniversary of Hurricane Laura, and as Louisianians eye another storm forming in the Gulf, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell toured storm-ravaged southwest Louisiana Thursday with Gov. John Bel Edwards and discussed federal disaster aid with local officials.

Flood insurance rates across the country are about to change in a big way, and it starts on Oct. 1.Here in Louisiana that mostly means increases. Eighty…

Everyone knows flood insurance isn’t the most exciting topic. What this episode presupposes is: maybe it should be?It’s not difficult to imagine a future…