PRESS RELEASE

LRA Executive Director Requests that FEMA Waive Duplicate Registration for Louisiana Residents Affected by Both Gustav and Ike
Louisiana Recovery Authority News Update
BATON ROUGE, La. (September 16, 2008) - Louisiana Recovery Authority Executive Director Paul Rainwater sent a letter to FEMA Monday requesting that residents in parishes affected by both Hurricane Gustav and Hurricane Ike not have to register for federal assistance twice.

Residents in Acadia, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Iberia, Jefferson Davis, Sabine, St. Mary, Vermilion and Vernon parishes currently have to complete two separate applications and duplicate the process for applying for federal assistance.

Rainwater asked for a waiver for these parishes and any parishes added to the disaster declaration in the future so residents would only have to apply one.

A copy of Rainwater’s letter is attached. Governor Bobby Jindal named Rainwater as his authorized representative to FEMA in an executive order today.

Created in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita in 2005, the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) is the coordinating and planning body leading the most extensive rebuilding effort in American history. The central point for hurricane recovery in Louisiana, the LRA partners with state and federal agencies to oversee more than $20 billion worth of programs, speed the pace of rebuilding, remove hurdles and red tape and ensure that Louisiana recovers safer and stronger than before. For more information about the LRA and its 17-member board, visit lra.louisiana.gov.

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