Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr. today announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded two grants to the Cameron Parish School Board totaling over $7 million for costs it incurred following Hurricane Rita.  The first grant amounts to $1,570,258 and is awarded to the Audrey Memorial School.  A second grant of $6,014,688 has been awarded to the South Cameron Elementary School. 

 

“Nothing hit me more emotionally than to see so many of our schools destroyed by Hurricane Rita,” said Boustany.  “All the residents of Southwest Louisiana can be inspired by the spirit and perseverance of the students and teachers in Cameron Parish.  Under the leadership of Superintendent Chance, the Cameron Parish School Board has done a great job in order to recover, and I am happy to see them receive this funding.”

 

Audrey Memorial School was inundated by high winds, heavy rains and a 20 to 25 foot storm surge from Hurricane Rita.  The school and gym were previously converted to a bus repair and maintenance facility for the parish school system.  This funding will go towards replacing the gym with a comparable facility designed for the current use as a bus repair and maintenance facility in an area outside of the flood plain.

 

South Cameron Elementary School also sustained high winds and storm surge a 15 to 20 foot storm surge from Hurricane Rita.  Approximately 90% of the structure was destroyed.  This funding is an estimate of costs to replace the building. 

 

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