Nikki Gaskins, FEMA’s media relations specialist assigned to the Lake Charles area, said the agency is working in the area to help residents begin recovering from Hurricane Laura.
Allen Parish now has a mobile registration intake center (MRIC) at 609 Tiger Lane, Oberlin. The MRIC opened Wednesday, September 16. The center is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Gaskins said FEMA will provide the initial registration services, limited technical support for current applications. “No document drop-off services are available at this time. Document service will be available at this location at a later date,” she said. “All MRIC services are conducted outside to ensure CDC, COVID-19 safety protocols and social distancing guidance.”
Remember the hours are subject to change as FEMA continues to work in the area. These centers require masks or face coverings for entry and service. Survivors should remain in their cars. A specialist wearing a face mask will receive documents through the window and return them.
No appointments are necessary. Additional centers are open in Louisiana. Survivors may visit any open center. To locate the closest center, call the FEMA Helpline, visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov, egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRC locator, or download the FEMA app.
Gaskins also shared some of FEMA’s input into the area. As of Friday, September 18, she said FEMA has put more than $112 million in the hands of survivors, including nearly $74 million for housing assistance and nearly $35 million for other needs assistance. Additionally, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has distributed nearly $43 million in low interest loans to help Louisiana hurricane survivors recover.
FEMA had registered 152,256 households for federal disaster assistance. Total roofs installed for the blue roof program at that point totaled 2,363 (most in Calcasieu Parish).
As of September 18, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has paid nearly $3 million to Hurricane Laura survivors. The number of households that have registered for disaster assistance to date in the Lake Charles area include:
•Allen Parish: 5,181 registrations ($2,717,056.39 in IHP awarded)
•Beauregard Parish: 9,989 registrations ($8,279,521.79 in IHP awarded)
•Cameron Parish: 2,983 registrations ($7,112,847.57 in IHP awarded)
•Calcaseiu Parish: 81,700 registrations ($92,241,441.43 in IHP awarded)
•Jefferson Davis Parish: 6,083 registrations ($3,551,802.26 in IHP awarded)
Gaskins said this is not a sprint toward recovery but a marathon. It will take everyone working together to rebuild. She said FEMA is the stepping stone. They are there to help you start on your path of recovery. The organization cannot do it all. She encouraged residents to look at all avenues as they travel the path of recovery from Hurricane Laura.
“It’s easy to be confused by all the disaster resources available as you recover from Hurricane Laura, but here is a breakdown of agencies, programs, phone numbers and website links that you can use for help.
FEMA
•FEMA can provide housing assistance, home repair, rental assistance, reimbursement for needed generators or chainsaws, and other disaster-related needs. To apply for FEMA assistance, add information or check status, go to disasterassistance.gov or call 800-621-3362.
Survivors can apply through the FEMA mobile app. On an Android device: text 2637643 (ANDROID) to 43362; on an Apple device, text 27753 (APPLE) to 43362.
For Hurricane Laura updates, go to www.fema.gov/disaster/4559.
•For reporting suspected scams, call the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721.
Roofing, Flood
Insurance, SBA
•For temporary repairs to damaged roofs, sign up with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at usace.army.mil/blueroof or call 888-766-3258/888-ROOF-BLU (Deadline to sign up is Sept. 30.).
•For low-interest disaster loans, contact the U.S. Small Business Administration at disasterloan.sba.gov or call 800-659-2955.
•For National Flood Insurance Program questions, send an email to floodsmart@fema.dhs.gov or call 877-336-2627.
Nonprofit and
Volunteer Groups
•For assistance from the American Red Cross, go to: redcross.org/local/louisiana/get-help or call 504-620-3105.
•For temporary sheltering needs, call 211 or text 527435837 (LASHELTER) to 898-211.
•For volunteering opportunities, go to https://volunteerlouisiana.gov/.
•For donations through United Way, go to unitedwayswla.org/hurricanelaura.
•To donate money go to gov.louisiana.gov/page/hurricane-laura-donations.