Just over two months after the disastrous flooding that struck the area in March, many residents are still trying to repair the damage and piece together their lives again.
In response to a request from Governor Edwards, the deadline to apply for financial assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration to June 13.
Since the President declared the March floods a disaster, FEMA and the SBA have received over 39,000 applications for aid. Ouachita Parish suffered the brunt of the damage and has over 10,000 applicants.
The current price tag for the disaster is $85 million, with $25 million in Ouachita Parish alone. and ofifcials say that figure will continue to grow as the last applications trickle in until the June 13 deadline. Residents are urged to call 1-800-621-3362 to begin the application process, or visit one of the two Disaster Recovery Centers still open.
"The recovery centers are the best place to talk to someone one-on-one," says FEMA representative Alberto Pillot, "It's what I call a one-stop-shop of information." At the recovery centers, residents can speak in person with FEMA and SBA staff about the entire application and approval process, and address any concerns or problems.
The recovery centers are located at the Monroe Civic Center and the West Carroll School Board Building at 410 Willis Street in Oak Grove.
