Gov. Edwards renewed his State-of-Emergency proclamation on
September 18, authorizing the Governor’s office of Homeland
Security and Emergency Preparedness to continue to undertake all
activities authorized to assist in recovery from Hurricane Laura.

The proclamation prohibits price gouging and allows the Secretary
of the Department of Health to establish protocols and policies for
certain facilities to receive evacuated residents at nursing facilities.
Certain regulations are suspended and schools are allowed to
substitute online instruction.

The proclamation also provides for unemployment compensation
for some of those directly affected by flooding or due to the inability
to get to their worksite in a disaster parish.

The proclamation also authorizes all departments and agencies as
officers of the state to cooperate in actions that may be helpful in
dealing with the effects of this weather event.

On September 13, FEMA approved three additional Louisiana parishes for Individual
Assistance due to Hurricane Laura, bringing the total number of parishes where residents are eligible for aid to 21.

Federal FEMA assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans for uninsured property loss and other programs to help people and businesses recover from Hurricane Laura.

People who sustained losses in the designated parishes of Acadia, Allen, Beauregard,
Caddo, Calcasieu, Cameron, Grant, Jackson, Jefferson Davis, LaSalle, Lincoln, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Sabine, St. Landry Vermilion, Vernon, Winn and Union.

Some additional parishes are still under review.

Individuals can apply for assistance. Register online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA.

“People all across Louisiana were impacted when Hurricane Laura brought its strong winds ashore, knocking out power and causing massive destruction,” said the Governor.

Hurricane Laura made landfall in Cameron Parish on Thursday, August 27, with 150 mph sustained winds.

Laura was one of the strongest hurricanes to hit the United States and the worse storm for Louisiana since the 1856 “Last Island Hurricane.”

Twenty-six deaths have been attributed to Hurricane Laura. Property damages have been estimated at approximately $9 billion.

If some you know needs shelter, text LASHELTER to 898-211 for information about where to go or call 211.