Disaster recovery centers for Isaac shutting down

Advocate staff photo by ARTHUR D. LAUCK -- Bandi Bryant, left, and Bernice Thompson call FEMA from the Disaster Recovery Center in Satsuma on Sept 7, just days after Hurricane Isaac swept through the state. Both women said they needed FEMA's help after their homes were damaged.

By Bob Anderson

Florida Parishes bureau

LIVINGSTON – The disaster recovery centers opened in Livingston and Tangipahoa in the wake of Hurricane Isaac will all close this week, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The number of people applying for FEMA aid has slowed to a trickle in the two parishes, FEMA data show.

Meanwhile, debris cleanup is wrapping up in both Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes, according to local officials.

The disaster recovery center on La. 22 in Maurepas closes at the end of the day Wednesday, FEMA spokesman Ray Perez said.

The center, located at 28975 S. Satsuma Road, Suite D, Satsuma, will remain open through Saturday, he said.

Likewise, the center in Amite closes Saturday. The one in Pontchatoula closed at the end of the day Tuesday, Perez said.

Officials in both parishes said they will not ask FEMA to keep the centers open.

Although the centers are closing, people with hurricane damage can still contact FEMA at (800) 621-3362 or at http://www.disasterassistance.gov online, according to the agency.

Tangipahoa Parish President Gordon Burgess said he won’t seek another extension to the centers open in his parish.

“It’s about time to have closure,” he said, adding that keeping the centers open “costs tax dollars.”

The parish Department of Public Works will finish its debris pickup early next week, Burgess said.

Some property owners needed one more weekend to finish their cleanup, he said

As of Tuesday morning, 9,981 Tangipahoa Parish residents had applied for FEMA assistance in connection with Hurricane Isaac. They have received $8.5 million, FEMA records show.

The cleanup in Livingston Parish where a storm surge caused severe flooding in southern areas has been completed except for trips back to a few spots, said Mark Harrell, director of the Livingston Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness.

As of Tuesday morning, 5,011 Livingston Parish residents have applied for FEMA assistance and have received $6.8 million, FEMA records show.

Flooding victims with flood insurance have about two more weeks to file claims with the National Flood Insurance Program. Those claims have to be filed within 60 days from the date of loss, according to FEMA.

Isaac made landfall in Louisiana on Aug. 28 with heavy rain both before and after the storm.

Flood policyholders can obtain information from FEMA’s Hurricane Isaac Flood Insurance Call Center at (866) 331-1679 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Additional information is available at http://www.floodsmart.gov, according to the agency.