Congressman Charlie Melancon
Newsroom
Search:

Back
Melancon Announces $23 Million in Disaster Recovery Grants For Jefferson Parish
CONTACT: Jacob Roche 202.225.4031October 26, 2006
WASHINGTON, DC- U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon today announced that Jefferson Parish will receive $23,190,298.70 in federal disaster aid grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  The grants will reimburse the parish for infrastructure recovery costs following Hurricane Katrina and Tropical Storm Cindy.
 
“For the past year, I have called on leaders in Washington to fulfill their promises to rebuild our communities in south Louisiana,” said Melancon. “These grants benefit a wide range of critical public services in Jefferson Parish—schools, hospitals, and law enforcement— helping them better care for our citizens.  I will continue to fight in Congress for disaster relief so Louisianians can get back on their feet and rebuild their lives.”
 
Please see the final report of the Katrina Task Force for more details.
 
The following grants were announced today for Jefferson Parish:
 
• $1,630,642.50 to repair management facilities building (Jefferson Parish Public School System).  Hurricane Katrina's strong winds and heavy rains caused damage to the school system’s management facilities building. High winds blew off 70% of the roof membrane, allowing rainwater to leak into the building. There is mold growth throughout and damage to ceiling, carpets, walls, and electrical and mechanical systems. However, the facility has been determined to be structurally sound.
 
• $1,726,191.73 for debris removal (Jefferson Parish). Strong winds and heavy rains from Tropical Storm Cindy left debris on public and private property which was brought to the public right of way. This grant will reimburse the parish for the estimated debris removal contract and associated costs. Approximately 117,096 cubic yards of vegetative debris were picked up, hauled and disposed of in a temporary debris storage and reduction site.      
 
• $1,725,346.64 for replacement of Grand Isle School’s gymnasium (Jefferson Parish Public School System). This grant will reimburse the school system for replacing Grand Isle School’s gymnasium.  Katrina's high winds, heavy rains, and storm surge severely damaged Grand Isle School. Flooding due to a storm surge was reported to be 16 to 18 feet high. The gymnasium is contaminated with mold and sustained mechanical, electrical, and structural flood damage. The roof, siding, and external light fixtures were damaged by wind.  The gymnasium (10,350 square feet) was constructed in the 1940s.
 
• $3,437,931.60 for repairs of Terrytown Elementary School (Jefferson Parish Public School System). This grant will reimburse the school system for removing and replacing asphalt roof shingles, felt underlayment, aluminum drip edge, acoustical ceiling tile, window air condition units, wood doors, lighting components, window frames and other miscellaneous items.
 
• $5,718,380.77 (combined) for laundry process equipment and inventory (East Jefferson General Hospital and West Jefferson Medical Center).  Hurricane Katrina flooded the laundry facility that services both East Jefferson General Hospital and West Jefferson Medical Center with approximately 66 inches of water above floor level. Expensive laundry equipment sustained damages due to flooding.  The two medical facilities jointly own the linen service, and the combined grants will reimburse them equally for repairs to the laundry equipment.  The original structure is a single story building of about 44,000 square feet constructed in 1971. A two story addition was added in 1993, but it was not disturbed or damaged by the effects of the hurricane. 
 
• $8,951,805.48 (combined) for temporary housing for essential parish personnel (Jefferson Parish).  Hurricane Katrina's high winds and rain damaged 1,908 homes of Jefferson Parish's essential personnel, which include Sheriff Officers, Judges and the City of Harahan Police Department.  These grants will reimburse the parish for providing temporary housing for them:
• $3,464,567.76 for site preparation for 80 mobile homes designated for displaced employees.  Work includes stripping and removing grass from 11.56 acres to create drainage, road/parking, and walkways; installing storm drainage; installing sanitary sewer, water distribution, electrical systems, garbage collection slabs, and ADA handicap ramps; and installing cable television to 80 mobile homes.    
• $4,339,823 for the purchase and delivery of 117 three-bedroom mobile homes and furnishings for essential personnel.
• $1,147,414.72 for the purchase of 37 mobile homes for essential employees.
 
###

Washington, DC Office
404 Cannon House Office Building
Tel: 202.225.4031
Fax: 202.226.3944
Houma
423 Lafayette St, Ste. 107
Houma, LA 70360
Tel: 985.876.3033
Fax: 985.872.4449
Chalmette
8201 W. Judge Perez Dr.
Chalmette, LA 70043
Tel: 504.271.1707
Fax: 504.271.1756
Gonzales
828 South Irma Boulevard
Gonzales, LA
Tel: 225.621.8490
Toll-Free: 866.289.9210
Fax: 225.621.8493
New Iberia
124 East Main Street
Suite 220-A
New Iberia, LA 70560
Tel: 337.367.8231
Fax: 337.369.7084