Hurricane briefs for Sept. 20, 2008
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FEMA aid program to begin inspections
Housing inspectors contracted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency are performing inspections for people seeking federal aid on damage to their homes from the high winds and severe flooding caused by hurricanes Gustav and Ike.
After registering with FEMA, applicants should hear from an inspector by telephone within a few days to schedule an appointment.
The inspection generally takes 30 to 40 minutes. Homeowners should be prepared to show proof of ownership, such as a deed, tax bills or a mortgage payment book. Both homeowners and renters should be prepared to show proof of occupancy, such as a utility bill or landlord statement. If insurance papers are available, show them to the inspector.
Homeowners do not have to wait for the inspector to arrive before beginning repairs. Photos, contractor estimates and receipts can be provided to the inspector to document the extent of the damage.
Inspections are conducted by companies under contract to the government, and all FEMA representatives carry photo identification. No fees are charged for inspections.
To register with FEMA, call the toll-free registration and Helpline number at (800) 621-FEMA (3362), or TTY (800) 462-7585, or file online at http://www.fema.gov.
It is not necessary to wait for an insurance settlement to apply for assistance; however, it is possible you will not receive an inspection or assistance until an insurance settlement has been received by FEMA.
Right of Entry revises sites, hours
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is opening new Blue Roof Right of Entry sites, closing other sites and changing hours of operations at some sites.
Adding weekend openings are:
Fire marshal lifts part of burn ban
State Fire Marshal Butch Browning on Friday lifted a ban on private vegetative debris burning in the parishes affected by Hurricane Gustav — but the lifting of the advisory does not supersede bans in effect in individual parishes.
The Fire Marshal’s Office advises that prior to burning such debris, residents check with their parish officials to make sure burning vegetative debris is allowed.
Residents in parishes of more than 90,000 population may burn this debris on their property — if not prohibited by parish ordinance — under the following conditions:
Housing inspectors contracted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency are performing inspections for people seeking federal aid on damage to their homes from the high winds and severe flooding caused by hurricanes Gustav and Ike.
After registering with FEMA, applicants should hear from an inspector by telephone within a few days to schedule an appointment.
The inspection generally takes 30 to 40 minutes. Homeowners should be prepared to show proof of ownership, such as a deed, tax bills or a mortgage payment book. Both homeowners and renters should be prepared to show proof of occupancy, such as a utility bill or landlord statement. If insurance papers are available, show them to the inspector.
Homeowners do not have to wait for the inspector to arrive before beginning repairs. Photos, contractor estimates and receipts can be provided to the inspector to document the extent of the damage.
Inspections are conducted by companies under contract to the government, and all FEMA representatives carry photo identification. No fees are charged for inspections.
To register with FEMA, call the toll-free registration and Helpline number at (800) 621-FEMA (3362), or TTY (800) 462-7585, or file online at http://www.fema.gov.
It is not necessary to wait for an insurance settlement to apply for assistance; however, it is possible you will not receive an inspection or assistance until an insurance settlement has been received by FEMA.
Right of Entry revises sites, hours
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is opening new Blue Roof Right of Entry sites, closing other sites and changing hours of operations at some sites.
Adding weekend openings are:
- East Baton Rouge Parish site, this weekend, in addition to its normal Monday to Friday hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The ROE site, at the Delmont Service Center, 3535 Riley, Baton Rouge, is open today 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.
- Iberville Parish site, at Maringouin Town Hall, 77510 Landry St., is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Sunday.
- Iberia Parish, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Wednesday at the Main Library, 445 East Main St., New Iberia.
- Acadia Parish, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Wednesday at the Crowley Public Library, 1125 N. Parkerson.
- Orleans Parish, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday at the New Orleans Main Library, 219 Loyola Ave.
- West Baton Rouge Parish site, at the Old Train Depot, La. 1, Port Allen, will close Thursday.
- Lafayette Parish site, on hold as of Friday.
- Tangipahoa Parish site, at the parish permit office, 15481 Club Deluxe Road, Hammond, hours changed to 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday.
- St. Bernard Parish site at the Community Center, 1107 LeBeau St., Arabi, open only on 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Sept. 29 and Oct. 1.
- St. Tammany Parish site, 1100 Mandeville High Blvd., Mandeville, open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.
- St. Landry Parish site was closed Thursday.
- Vermilion Parish site at the parish courthouse in Abbeville is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. After today, all questions about the program should be directed to the parish emergency preparedness office.
Fire marshal lifts part of burn ban
State Fire Marshal Butch Browning on Friday lifted a ban on private vegetative debris burning in the parishes affected by Hurricane Gustav — but the lifting of the advisory does not supersede bans in effect in individual parishes.
The Fire Marshal’s Office advises that prior to burning such debris, residents check with their parish officials to make sure burning vegetative debris is allowed.
Residents in parishes of more than 90,000 population may burn this debris on their property — if not prohibited by parish ordinance — under the following conditions:
- Prevailing winds must be away from any city or town.
- The burn must be at least 1,000 feet (305 meters) from any dwelling other than a dwelling or structure on the property on which the burning is conducted.
- Care must be used to minimize the amount of dirt on the material being burned.
- Heavy oils, asphalt materials, items containing natural or synthetic rubber, or any materials other than plant growth which produce unreasonable amounts of smoke may not be burned; nor may these substances be used to start a fire.
- The burning may be conducted only between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Piles of combustible material should be small enough to be entirely consumed in the burn in this time period.
- Any burning of vegetative debris must be controlled so traffic hazards are minimized.
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