Louisiana is set to receive $70,508,829 in federal funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support disaster recovery and repairs in areas affected by Hurricanes Laura, Ida, Francine, and saltwater intrusion. The announcement was made by Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee.
“Costly natural disasters like Hurricanes Laura, Ida, and Francine and 2023’s saltwater intrusion took a toll on Louisiana, but our people are as tough and hardworking as they come. This $70.5 million will help south Louisiana communities—including folks in Terrebonne, Plaquemines, and St. Charles Parishes—rebuild and cover the costs of this severe weather,” said Kennedy.
The funding will be allocated for several projects across south Louisiana:
– Terrebonne Parish will receive $30,937,726 to provide temporary emergency power generation at the Houma Generating Station following damage from Hurricane Ida.
– The Terrebonne Parish School Board is set to get $10,493,107 to restore the East Street Campus after Hurricane Ida and improve flood protection.
– The Terrebonne Parish Levee System will use $9,115,952 to repair and strengthen sections of the Isle de Jean Charles Levee damaged by Hurricane Francine.
– The Office of Risk Management is allocated $8,973,729 for Hurricane Laura recovery efforts at McNeese State University through renovations and infrastructure improvements.
– Lake Charles Harbor and Terminal District will receive $6,754,464 for constructing a consolidated warehouse facility replacing port infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Laura.
– St. Charles Parish will get $2,045,911 to repair the Bayou Des Allemands bulkhead and restore shoreline protection infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Ida.
– Terrebonne Parish will also receive $1,156,452 to repair damage at the Houma Power Plant caused by Hurricane Ida.
– Plaquemines Parish is allocated $1,031,488 for responding to saltwater intrusion that threatened its drinking water supply with emergency water distribution and temporary treatment measures.
Sen. Kennedy has engaged with constituents through newsletters, town halls and public events according to his official website. He operates district offices in several cities including Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, Monroe, New Orleans and Shreveport (source). Kennedy has also worked on policies supporting veterans, farmers and small businesses while serving on key committees such as Appropriations; Budget; Energy and Natural Resources; as well as chairing the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs (source). As senator representing all of Louisiana (source), he has influenced national policy through his committee work (source).
