LMR September 2020

“Laura was like nothing I’ve ever seen. The massive
sustained winds and blinding rains devastated our
homes and businesses. We estimate that about 10-15%
of our residents’ homes have been damaged beyond
repair and will have to be demolished. We were able to
start debris management early, but we would not have
made the progress that we have without the incredible
outpouring of support from our neighbors in Texas and
our fellow Louisianans. I cannot sufficiently express how
deeply grateful I am to the mayors and council members
who have provided not only food and supplies, but also
kind words of encouragement that we sorely needed in
the wake of this disaster. They have my heartfelt thanks.”
people living in close quarters.
• Know what to do if someone in your family or in the
household you are staying with becomes sick with
COVID-19.
Response and Recovery After A Hurricane
The loss of basic infrastructure resources like safe drinking
water and electricity are always huge impacts after a disaster
event but COVID 19 makes it certain that restoration will take
longer than usual. Since restoration will take longer than following
a typical disaster the stress on residents will be much
greater than normal.
The use of personal generators is common to provide limited
survival capability to run a refrigerator, cooktop, or small
air conditioning unit. But, generators produce dangerous
exhaust and risk of electrocution by back-powering electrical
lines that may be exposed. Several deaths occurred following
Hurricane Laura due to carbon monoxide poisoning from
generators being run inside homes or not properly ventilated.
Virtual Preliminary Damage Assessments
- Mayor Kenny Stinson, Vinton
The severe limitations on responders, damage inspectors and
recovery officials being able to enter and operate in a disaster
area due to COVID 19 has led FEMA to consider new methods
"The City of Westlake took a hard hit from Hurricane
Laura. Our City Hall building lost several walls. Ninety
percent of homes here suffered some kind of damage,
and 40% of homes are uninhabitable. I am proud that
through all of this, our Public Works Department kept our
water and sewer services going. Our Police Department
and Fire Department have done a great job to keep
things as safe as possible for our citizens. Together, we
will get through this."
- Mayor Bob Hardey, Westlake
of conducting damage assessments. FEMA regions may elect
to utilize virtual or desktop Preliminary Damage Assessment
(PDA) capability. Virtual PDAs may include use of aerial
imagery, HAZUS software modeling, or applicant submitted
data, documentation, and photos. Such information submission,
if authorized, is certified by local officials or emergency
managers with detailed and verified statements to document
damages as accurately as possible.
Such virtual assessments have limitations and may be backed
up with onsite validation. But, the reduced risk to inspection
teams, as opposed to conducting physical, in-person assessments
of cost, work, facility, and applicant eligibility may
make this option the preferred choice. If FEMA personnel do
deploy to the field, the plan will be to use as few personnel as
possible.
Individual and Households Programs and Direct Housing
FEMA does not
anticipate major
changes in program
eligibility, timeliness
of grant awards, or
the level of assistance
provided
under the Individual
and Households
Program. However,
the delivery
mechanisms of
certain aspects of
the program will be
modified. FEMA will utilize remote inspections and field work
to evaluate damage as much as possible, with the goal of
expediting the delivery of recovery assistance.
FEMA will only conduct remote inspections on homes where
occupants have indicated a higher degree of damage when
they registered for assistance. For applicants who self-report
minor damage and can remain in the home, FEMA will determine
whether an inspection is necessary, enabling FEMA to
focus its limited resources on those with the greatest need.
These remote inspections and field work, consistent with
eligibility, will support numerous programs including Rental
Assistance, Home Repair Assistance, Replacement Assistance,
Other Needs Assistance for Personal Property, and Assistance
for Miscellaneous Items. Types of Other Needs Assistance that
do not require an inspection, including childcare, transportation,
medical and dental, funeral expenses, moving and
storage, and procurement of Group Flood Insurance Policies,
will be administered as normal.
Direct Housing
“We are resilient people in Sulphur,
with the tendency to put our own
issues aside to work with each
other to rebuild. It is a difficult
time, but a hopeful time to see
the little miracles that take place
every day with all the help from
our city workers, first responders,
relief groups, and residents. Day by
day things are getting better in our
community.”
- Mayor Mike Danahay, Sulphur
FEMA does not anticipate changing the criteria necessary for
approving a request for Direct Housing. However, given the
Page 22
LMR | SEPTEMBER 2020