An overturned shrimp boat lies on its side in its dock seven months after Hurricane Ida struck the Jean Lafitte and Barataria area. Photo: Ed Lallo/Gulf Seafood News
by Ed Lallo/Gulf Seafood News Editor
Four hurricanes and two tropical storms later, hard hit areas of Louisiana will be the recipient of an unexpected $1.7 billion in federal hurricane relief dollars. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Gov. John Bel Edwards, U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy and Rep. Garret Graves announced the new funding that provided a major infusion to the $600 million previously approved, raising to more than $1 billion the total amount of Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery money available for recovery from these storms.
“We’ll come back,” Earl Billiot, a Point-au-Chien tribal member said standing in front of what was his home with a stairway leading nowhere. “It’s part of living down here. Part of living with hurricanes.” Photo: Ed Lallo/Gulf Seafood News
“I’m grateful to the Biden-Harris administration for their commitment to helping our communities and those around the nation recover from the impacts of these devastating storms,” said Gov. Edwards in a press release. “I contacted Sec. Fudge to personally thank her for this significant allocation that should provide Louisiana with an opportunity to implement a more effective, albeit late, recovery from Hurricanes Laura and Delta. In addition, Louisiana will receive $1.27 billion for recovery from Hurricane Ida and other 2021 disasters. However, the need is much greater, which everyone we have spoken with in Washington acknowledges. We will continue working to secure that additional funding.”
The funds are part of a $5 billion supplemental disaster appropriation Congress enacted in September of last year for all disasters countrywide in 2020-21. Approximately $450 million will go to Louisiana’s southwest region to cover unmet needs stemming from Hurricanes Laura and Delta, which struck in 2020. The remaining allocated for communities hit by Hurricane Ida last year. Additionally Baton Rouge would receive $4.6 million and $10.8 million to Lake Charles.
The Miss Brittney, a shrimp boat, still remains on the banks of Bayou Barataria in Jean Laffite. Photo: Ed Lallo/Gulf Seafood News
“This is very reassuring. First, for recognizing the importance of rebuilding communities providing one-third of the domestic seafood supply to the lower 48 states,” said Ewell Smith, a member of the Gulf Seafood Foundation and the Louisiana Fishing Community Recovery Coalition. “Second, seeing our representatives work together to get this done. It shows what is possible. This will no doubt accelerate recovery efforts.”
“This is hard-earned relief for South Louisiana,” said Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, who worked with Gov. Edwards on shoring up Congressional and White House support. “We still have a long road to go to fully recover, but this level of funding helps tremendously. We will continue to work to address unmet needs.”
Sen. Cassidy was also instrumental in securing $40 million in flood mitigation funding from his bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will deliver the funding through Swift Current initiative grants, which expedite flood mitigation grant applications for communities after a natural disaster.
“This is an incredible step in making our communities more resilient and prepared for the next storm,” said the senator. “Louisiana families deserve the peace of mind in knowing their risk of flooding is greatly reduced or gone altogether. This funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill gives us that reassurance.”
Ben Graham, who represents the state’s Finfish Task Force on the Louisiana Fishing Community Recovery Coalition, is encouraged to see politicians working across party lines to help those who have suffered so much through the four terrible storms.
“Hopefully these relief dollars will reach those who need it the most. The often forgotten residents of our less populated coastal areas were devastated by the storms,” he said. “These areas where fishing and seafood are primary economic drivers and a part of life.”
Grant Bundy, owner of Bundy Shrimp Dock in Lafitte, wonders how he is going to repair his docks and life. Photo: Ed Lallo/Gulf Seafood News
Rep. Garrett Grave sent a letter before the announcement to HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge urging that Lafourche, Terrebonne, Jefferson, St. Charles, St. John and other parishes receive recovery funding directly.
“This is welcomed news,” said the Congressman whose constituency spans 13 Parishes hugging the Gulf Coast. “It shouldn’t have taken six months for the funds to be allocated. This is a great first step and down payment, but there remains more work to be done to get these funds in motion and to help those still struggling to recover from Hurricanes Laura, Delta and Zeta. We are approaching the 2022 hurricane season – we’ve got to get these funds moving as soon as possible before any storm inevitably barrels through the Gulf.”
According to HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge, these allocations underscore HUD and the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to equitably improving the nation’s disaster recovery and building long-term, inclusive resilience to the impacts of climate change, particularly for historically marginalized communities.
“This is yet another example of the federal government showing up for the people of Louisiana,” said Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter, who represents the River Parishes. “This more than $1.27 billion infusion into our state will not only help communities rebuild and recover from Hurricane Ida and recent floods, but will help build long-term strength and resiliency in our systems. These funds, along with the Infrastructure Law, are historic investments for Louisiana. I am proud to have supported and voted for these efforts.”
The funds have been earmarked for recovery from and build resilience to natural disasters, including climate disasters, with a specific focus on low-and moderate-income populations. The funds are specified to be used for: “disaster relief, long-term recovery, restoration of infrastructure and housing, economic revitalization, and mitigation, in the most impacted and distressed areas.”
“These disaster recovery funds will strengthen recovery efforts and improve long-term, inclusive resilience to future disasters and climate impacts,” said the HUD Secretary. “Communities will have greater resources and focus to ensure equitable outcomes for underserved households that too often bear the brunt of climate-related disasters. With these funds, we are sending a strong message that equity and forward-looking mitigation are priorities of HUD and this administration’s disaster recovery work.”
Louisiana Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser whose office oversees the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board and is a member of the Louisiana Fishing Community Recovery Coalition said, “This is much needed funding our people desperately need to help put the pieces back together. We are going to continue to work until we get everyone back in their homes and make them whole again.”
A destroyed house and grounded boat along the banks of Bayou Terrebonne by Montegut. Photo: Ed Lallo/Gulf Seafood News
“This gets us going in the right direction,” said Benny Miller, owner of Louisiana Seafood Exchange and a member of the Louisiana Fishing Community Recovery Coalition. “The big questions are how and where the money is allocated? I think it is awesome. We need to get our docks and fisherman back in action. This is the starting point we need to move forward.”
“The seafood industry in the state of Louisiana has suffered almost $580 million in infrastructure damage from the multiple hurricanes during the past two-years, especially Hurricane Ida which struck at the heart of our seafood production” said Harlon Pearce, chairman of the Louisiana Fishing Community Recovery Coalition and owner of Harlon’s LA Fish. “It is imperative the governor directs a significant portion of this new windfall to helping fishermen, dock owners, charter boat operators, marinas, restaurants and processors recover. Without a strong seafood industry, southern Louisiana loses its identity and an important part of its culture.”
Seven months after the hurricane a graveyard in Barataria remains in shambles with open graves and coffins. Photo: Ed Lallo/Gulf Seafood News
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