Sen. Landrieu, Mayor Landrieu and Rep. Richmond Announce $11.2M in Grants for Hurricane Recovery

Press Release

U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., chair of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, along with New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu and Representative Cedric Richmond, D-La., today announced $11.2 million in federal funding for hurricane recovery efforts in Louisiana. Grants will fund numerous projects in New Orleans, including repairs to the Port of New Orleans and the New Orleans sewerage and water system. These grants are provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance Program.

"These grants will fund repairs to some of our city's main facilities, including the New Orleans sewerage and water system. Restoring these roads and water systems to their original states, while also improving them to meet new standards will be beneficial to New Orleans residents and our city's recovery as a whole," Sen. Landrieu said. "As we continue working toward complete recovery of the city, we are also working to ensure that our infrastructure is protected and capable of surviving future hurricanes and other natural or man-made disasters."

"These important recovery dollars will go to repairing the City of New Orleans water distribution system and support infrastructure that was substantially damaged following Hurricane Katrina," Mayor Landrieu said. "It is essential that all citizens across New Orleans have access to safe and reliable drinking water. We've made great progress and will continue to work with FEMA to identify new eligible funding for Sewerage and Water Board repairs."

"Funding announced today will continue investment in first-class facilities that will support our economy and protect our homes and families," said Representative Cedric Richmond. "In the aftermath of natural and man-made disasters, we must continue the work of rebuilding and this funding will help us do just that. Both funded areas are in desperate need of resources and support. The Port of New Orleans is essential to our commercial growth, while repairs to our water systems are critical to the stability of our communities."

The grants announced today include:

$1.2 million for the Port of New Orleans to repair roads and pavement facilities, which sustained major floodwater, surge and high wind damage as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Repair costs also include demolition of a warehouse and the construction of a 4.3-acre marshalling yard.

$10 million to the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board for damages caused by catastrophic flooding and wind to the water distribution system and facilities during Hurricane Katrina. These repair costs include over 12,000 water distribution leaks and the restoration of damaged pavement as a result of excavations associated with the water line leak repair.

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