Hurricane briefs for September 17, 2008

• Advocate staff report
• Published: Sep 17, 2008 - Page: 4B - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Contractors pick up debris in Baker
BAKER — Contract crews for the city of Baker are removing storm debris from public rights of way this week, a spokeswoman for Mayor Harold Rideau said Tuesday.

Residents should put all debris to the side of the street as soon as possible and separate tree debris from other types of trash, said Julie Pease, a spokeswoman for Rideau.

Recovery Centers open around region
Nine Disaster Recovery Centers are now open for Louisiana residents and businesses affected by hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

The centers are operating seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. until further notice, according to the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The centers are in:

• St. Helena Parish: through Saturday at 247 Industrial Park Road, Greensburg.
• Avoyelles Parish Shopping Center, 816 Tunica Drive East, Marksville.
• Iberville Parish Library, 24605 J. Gerald Berrett Blvd., Plaquemine.
• Lafourche Parish: old Wal-Mart building, 4876 La. 1, Mathews.
• Livingston Parish: old State Police camp, Classroom No. 2, 11845 Buddy Ellis Road, Denham Springs.
• Orleans Parish Main Library, 219 Loyola Ave., New Orleans.
• Pointe Coupee Parish: Scott Civic Center, 1200 Major Parkway, New Roads.
• St. Tammany Parish: Public Works Building, 1100 Mandeville High Blvd., Mandeville.
• Terrebonne Parish: old bingo hall, 805 Barrow St., Houma.

Applicants can register online at http://www.fema.gov or call (800) 621-3362 (TTY (800) 462-7585).

Residents urged to register for help
Two types of federal disaster assistance — housing needs and other needs — are available to individuals, families and businesses in certain areas and for losses not covered by insurance, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

FEMA has already approved $20 million in disaster aid for Louisiana residents. More than 385,000 homeowners, renters and businesses registered with FEMA because of hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

Those who were impacted by both storms will need to register twice, once for each storm.

Due to heavy call volume, those who have minimal damage are encouraged to wait so those with more damage can register first.
Also, those with Internet access are strongly encouraged to register for assistance online. Those who need to register by phone may be able to reduce their wait time by calling between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. or on Sundays.

Residents may register online at http://www.fema.gov or by phone at (800) 621-FEMA (3362) or (800) 462-7585.

The registration process takes about 20 minutes and will go more quickly if applicants have the following information at hand:

• Social Security number (including spouse’s).
• Address and ZIP code of the damaged property.
• Directions to the damaged home or property.
• Telephone numbers where FEMA can reach applicant.
• Private insurance policy, if any.
• Bank information to enable direct deposit.
• Current mailing address.

Pascagoula company wins debris contract
A Pascagoula company has been awarded an $8.9 million government contract to clean up debris from hurricanes Gustav and Ike in Louisiana.

S&M and Associates Inc. was given the contract for emergency relief work by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

S&M owner Heath Hughes says Ozark, Ala.-based Hughes Construction Services LLC will be subcontractor for the work, which involves placing waterproof tarps on the roofs of residences.

Hughes says the work consists of about 25,000 rooftops in more than a dozen parishes.