Federal Response
FEMA
FEMA released an online searchable collection of risk assessment information for planners and emergency managers to improve mitigation strategies, strengthen planning exercises, and expedite recovery. FEMA’s Hazus Program provides standardized tools and data for estimating risk from earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, and hurricanes.
Reporting
Reuters reports on HUD’s announcement it will allocate more than $2 billion in long-term disaster recovery funds to nine states and Puerto Rico following 15 separate major disasters. The allocations seek to provide communities the resources they need to recover from disasters and improve resilience to climate change.
NBC News examines the impacts of natural disasters on the rental housing market. An influx of displaced residents and supply shortages make rental price increases common in small cities following natural disasters. According to an NBC News analysis, the post-disaster demand for housing far exceeds the availability of hotels and rentals, particularly in cities with fewer than 100,000 residents.
Hurricanes
The deadline for Louisiana residents impacted by Hurricane Ida to apply for disaster assistance is Monday, November 29. FEMA has Disaster Recovery Centers located throughout the state, and survivors can apply for assistance online or by phone at 800-621-3362. Ida survivors can learn more about direct temporary housing options on FEMA’s website.
A coalition of local business groups launched a privately-funded initiative to provide short-term, temporary housing to Terrebonne and Lafourche parish residents displaced by Hurricane Ida. The program will complement efforts by community nonprofits by providing new and used travel trailers to the hardest-hit families.
Louisiana home and business owners have filed $10.6 billion in claims for damages caused by hurricanes in 2020. The amount does not include claims or payments from the National Flood Insurance Program, uninsured losses, and amounts people paid out of pocket to cover deductibles. As a result, the true cost of the three hurricanes is much higher.