PRESS RELEASE

Hurricane Gustav estimated expenditures by state government projected at $383.9 million, damage to state facilities over $100 million
Division of Administration News Update
BATON ROUGE , La. (September 20, 2008) - Commissioner of Administration Angele Davis today released updated projected estimated expenditures by state government associated with Hurricane Gustav, as well as an initial cost estimate of damages to state facilities.

Both figures are estimates and incomplete, do not factor in cost share, and apply to Hurricane Gustav only.  Initial figures for Hurricane Ike are expected to be released later this week.

“Hurricane Gustav’s destructive force had a devastating impact on Louisiana, and the costs of preparing for and responding to the safety and needs of our citizens, as well as recovering from the damages caused by the storm, are substantial,” said Commissioner Davis.  “While I am pleased that the state was on sound financial footing ahead of the storm, the sheer magnitude of the storm’s impact, especially on local communities, makes it essential that we receive the national recognition and resources necessary to recover fully.”

The state continues to seek 100 percent federal cost share for all categories of FEMA assistance.

Total estimated expenditures by state government are now projected to be $383.9 million.  (Note: Figure does not include costs, unavailable at this time, for certain higher education institutions.)

A breakdown of certain expended or obligated Gustav-related costs to state government to date:

• Evacuation transportation: $21 million
• Emergency communications: $400 K
• Road and bridge repair: $36 million
• Traffic signal and sign repair: $5 million
• Ferries and ferry landings: $5 million
• Debris removal: $50 million
• Firefighting: $300 K
• Emergency management: $300 K
• Shelters: $6.3 million
• Veterans care: $800 K
• Generators: $11.9 million
• Public health and medical services: $17.9 million
• Search and rescue: $700 K
• Agriculture (fuel): $5.1 million
• Public safety and security: $18.7 million
• Levee protection: $1.5 million
• Satellite phones: $224 K
• MREs: $19.7 million
• Animal carriers and supplies: $713 K
• Water: $2.1 million
• Ice: $5.3 million
• Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC): $50.1 million
• Military support: $7.5 million
• Disaster food stamps: $19.4 million

Separately, a preliminary estimated cost of damages caused by Gustav to state facilities is $100.4 million.  Damages were reported to state facilities in 35 parishes.

While wind and flood damage affected hundreds of facilities, examples of facilities that suffered severe damage include:

• In Baton Rouge, the Department of Health and Hospitals’ Champion Building had the roof of one wing blown off, with the entire second floor flooded by rain.
• A large pine tree fell on the Administration Building of the Villa Feliciana Medical Center in East Feliciana Parish causing roof damage.
• In Lafourche Parish, Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium’s Fourchon Site suffered severe damage to the first floor of the Main Laboratory Building, and the Department of Transportation and Development’s district office in Houma saw both ends of its metal and brick building blown out.
• In Terrebonne Parish, the Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center sustained extensive roof and water damage, and the Louisiana Marine and Petroleum Institute sustained extensive roof damage to its main building.  The Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium saw flood damage caused by a three-foot tidal surge during Hurricane Gustav.  And the Louisiana State Police, Troop C, building in Gray sustained substantial roof damage. 

Approximately 14 state parks sustained damage to buildings, boardwalks, and other facilities; and downed trees caused massive amounts of debris.  The LSU Agriculture Center had 50 to 100 buildings damaged.

Separately, to date the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has obligated costs associated with Gustav of $340.2 million.  This figure includes certain costs associated with the Public Assistance Program (Category A through G), costs for Direct Federal Assistance and Technical Assistance provided by FEMA and other federal agencies, and costs of the Individual and Household Assistance Program, to include the Other Needs Assistance Program.

This figure does not yet include FEMA administrative costs which include their technical assistance contract, federal operation support assignments, inspection services and certain hazard mitigation technical assistance.  Nor does it include certain costs associated with Category B, any damage to state infrastructure in Categories C-G, nor does it represent costs that will be incurred by other applicants (state, local, municipal and certain not-for-profits) for damages incurred.

For all the latest information on the recovery from hurricanes Gustav and Ike, residents are encouraged to visit emergency.louisiana.gov.

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