Govt Response and Recovery to the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

[The Straight Story]

United States Government Response and Recovery to the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
September 16, 2005

Federal support to state and local officials, volunteer organizations and families who have been devastated by Hurricane Katrina continues around the clock in an effort to provide recovery support to those affected by this unprecedented natural disaster. Federal assistance to households will help them get on the road to recovery. The following facts provide an update to some of the important activities and approximate numbers as of 3 p.m. EDT:

Household Assistance Funds

* September 10, 2005: 330,000 Households – $690 million
* September 11, 2005: 367,000 Households – $758 million
* September 12, 2005: 393,000 Households – $819 million
* September 13, 2005: 430,000 Households – $966 million
* September 14, 2005: 465,000 Households – $1 billion
* September 15, 2005: 509,000 Households – $1.1 billion
* September 16, 2005: 539,000 Households – $1.3 billion

The Army Corps of Engineers awarded four fixed-priced contracts Thursday for debris removal in the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. Each of these contracts has a value of up to $500 million each, with the option of an additional $500 million. The terms of all four contracts require the contractors to give a preference to those organizations, firms or individuals residing or doing business primarily in the area affected by Hurricane Katrina. More information at www.usace.army.mil.

The Environmental Protection Agency continues assessment of damage to local drinking water systems and to provide technical assistance to help restore service in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. More than 73 percent of affected drinking water systems in Louisiana have been restored. More than 78 percent of affected drinking water facilities in Mississippi have been restored. Nearly 100 percent of drinking water facilities in Alabama have been restored.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) continues to identify thousands of single, and multi-family, properties that can be referred to families uprooted from their homes. HUD has initially identified nearly 5,000 single-family homes in 11 neighboring states, and referred approximately 1,500 homes to FEMA for immediate placement.

Public Housing Authorities around the country are reserving approximately 5,600 vacant units for displaced public housing residents and have agreed to accept rental vouchers from HUD-assisted families from the Gulf region. HUD is also waiving certain regulations in the department's block grant programs in order to allow affected communities to use existing funding for emergency housing and service programs.

U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) veterinarians and veterinary technicians are working closely with state and local officials and private groups to help rescue pets and displaced animals from storm-ravaged areas of southern Louisiana and Mississippi. USDA is supporting these efforts through veterinary care, shelter and feed for these animals, as well as facilitating reunions with their owners. Recovered pets are given a bath and vaccinated after a thorough examination. Animals recovered in Louisiana can be found on www.petfinder.com.


http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?content=4824