>> THIS PROGRAM IS MADE POSSIBLE
IN PART THROUGH FUNDING BY THE
CORPORATION OF PUBLIC
BROADCASTING.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT IS PROVIDED
BY THE FOUNDATION FOR EXCELLENT
IN THE LOUISIANA PUBLIC
BROADCASTING AND FROM VIEWERS
>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO
“LOUISIANA PUBLIC SQUARE.”
I'M BETH COURTNEY, PRESIDENT OF
LPB.
TONIGHT WE'RE HERE WITH OUR
VOLUNTEER HOST, BOB COURTNEY, A
VETERAN TELEVISION JOURNALIST.
AND MY HUSBAND.
>> I AM?
OH, YES.
>> IN MARCH, AND AGAIN IN
AUGUST, VAST EXPANSES OF
LOUISIANA WERE INUNDATED WITH
FLOOD WATERS. IN TOTAL, OVER
THREE-QUARTERS LOUISIANA'S
PARISHES WERE DECLARED DISASTER
AREAS IN 2016. THE STATE'S
RESTORE LOUISIANA TASK FORCE IS
IN THE PROCESS OF DECIDING HOW
TO SPEND THE FIRST FEDERAL GRANT
OF 438 MILLION DOLLARS. THAT
NUMBER MAY SEEM LARGE, BUT IS
ONLY ABOUT AN EIGHTH OF THE
ESTIMATED NEED, CLOSE TO 4
BILLION DOLLARS.
>> HOW CAN THE STATE HELP TO
ENSURE THAT ALL COMMUNITIES
RECOVER EQUALLY? WHAT IMPACT
SHOULD THE FLOODS HAVE ON
BUILDING STANDARDS, MITIGATION
AND PREVENTION? COULD JUMP
STARTING STALLED DIVERSION
PROJECTS PREVENT A SIMILAR
DISASTER IN THE FUTURE? OVER THE
NEXT HOUR WE'LL HEAR FROM STATE
OFFICIALS, RECOVERY EXPERTS AND
RECOVERING HOMEOWNERS. WE'LL
EXPLORE THESE ISSUES AND MORE ON
“BEYOND THE FLOOD” .
>> THE WATER CAME UP TO RIGHT IN
HERE.
>> LIKE MANY HOMEOWNERS ACROSS
LOUISIANA ALBERT PENDARVIS IS
STILL RECOVERING FROM THE AUGUST
FLOOD THAT RAVAGED HIS 60 YEAR
OLD HOME.
>> I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING BUT
GUT MY HOUSE OUT. FIRST OF ALL,
COSTS ARE EXCESSIVE NOW; AND FOR
MATERIALS AND LABOR SO I AM
FORTUNATE TO HAVE A PLACE TO GO.
>> PENDARVIS AND HIS WIFE
EVACUATED BY BOAT TO HIS
GRANDSON'S HOME. IT WAS BUILT
NEARBY ACCORDING TO FEMA
ELEVATION STANDARDS JUST TWO
YEARS AGO. THAT HOME ALSO
FLOODED.
JULIE BAXTER PAYER IS WITH
GOVERNOR JOHN BEL EDWARDS'
OFFICE. SHE SAYS THE STATE IS
TRYING TO HELP FAMILIES LIKE THE
PENDARVISES ACROSS LOUISIANA.
EVERY FAMILY'S PATH HOME IS A
DIFFERENT PATHWAY, IT'S A
DIFFERENT STORY FOR EVERY
FAMILY.
THE STATE HAS FACILITATED MANY
KINDS OF RECOVERY PROGRAMS, FOR
THE IMMEDIATE, SHORT-TERM AND
LONG-TERM NEEDS OF FLOOD
VICTIMS.
>> WE HAD 11,000 PEOPLE IN
SHELTERS AT THE PEAK OF THIS
DISASTER, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO
CLOSE THAT DOWN SO WE ARE MOVING
FORWARD.
>> SHORT TERM, TEMPORARY
ASSISTANCE INCLUDES THE 2,100
FAMILIES STILL IN FEMA FUNDED
HOTEL ROOMS. ABOUT 1,300
FAMILIES ARE IN MANUFACTURED
HOUSING UNITS PROVIDED BY FEMA.
BUT ANOTHER 4,700 ARE ELIGIBLE
FOR THEM, ACCORDING TO BAXTER
PAYER. ABOUT 8,400 HOMES HAVE
HAD TEMPORARY REPAIRS COMPLETED
UNDER THE SHELTER-AT-HOME
PROGRAM, WHICH ALLOWS HOMEOWNERS
TO LIVE IN THEIR HOMES AS
REPAIRS ARE BEING MADE. IN
ADDITION TO THESE PROGRAMS, THE
STATE HAS ASKED FOR FEDERAL
FUNDS TO GET FINANCIAL AID TO
HOMEOWNERS FOR REBUILDING.
>> WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL
THAT WE ARE NOT SO TO SPEAK
HANDING OUT BLANK CHECKS.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS ONLY
ALLOCATED $438 MILLION DOLLARS
FOR REBUILDING HOMES. WITH WELL
OVER 100,000 FAMILIES AFFECTED
BY THE FLOODS, THE TOTAL NEED IS
AN ESTIMATED $2.6 BILLION
DOLLARS. HOW WILL THE STATE
CHOOSE WHO GETS HELP FIRST? THE
STATE'S RESTORE LOUISIANA TASK
FORCE IS HELPING MAKE THOSE
DECISIONS.
>> THE DISCUSSION INCLUDES
LIMITING WHO RECEIVES BENEFIT
FROM THE FIRST POOL OF MONEY TO
THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE NOT
IN A FLOOD PLAIN AND DID NOT
THEREFORE HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE
THAT ARE ALSO LOW TO MODERATE
INCOME CAUSE THEY JUST DON'T
HAVE THE RESOURCES TO BE ABLE TO
GO TO THE BANK AND HAVE A
SAVINGS ACCOUNT AND TO BE ABLE
TO REBUILD.
>> LAFAYETTE PARISH
MAYOR-PRESIDENT JOEL ROBIDEAUX
IS HEAD OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE
LENDING ADVICE.
>> WHAT WE DON'T WANT; WE DON'T
WANT OUR CITIZENS LEAVING THE
STATE FOR WHATEVER OPPORTUNITIES
EXIST AND WALKING AWAY FROM
THEIR HOMES.
>> SOME HOMEOWNERS ARE ALREADY
GETTING HELP FROM THE NATIONAL
FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM. FOR
HOMEOWNERS WAITING ON INSURANCE
PAYOUTS FROM THEIR FLOOD
POLICIES, FEMA REPRESENTATIVE
WAYNE BERGGREN SAYS PATIENCE IS
KEY.
>> WE'VE CLOSED ALMOST 62
PERCENT OF THE CLAIMS FROM
AUGUST HAVE BEEN CLOSED WITH
PAYMENT.
SO, WE'RE OUT THERE WORKING; IT
SEEMS SLOW BUT WITH THE DISASTER
AND THE MAGNITUDE WE JUST HAD
ABOUT 6 OR 7 HUNDRED ADJUSTERS
TO WORK 29 THOUSAND CLAIMS.
>> TO PUT THINGS INTO
PERSPECTIVE, BERGGREN NOTES THAT
THERE WERE 49 HUNDRED CLAIMS
FROM LOUISIANA'S SPRING FLOODING
EVENT.
>> I THINK GOING FORWARD ONE OF
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE CAN
DO NOT JUST IN LAFAYETTE BUT
ACROSS THE STATE IS TO ENCOURAGE
PEOPLE TO GET FLOOD INSURANCE.
WE'RE A LOW LYING STATE; WE'RE
AT RISK WITH HURRICANES AND RAIN
EVENTS ALL THE TIME;
>> WE NEED TO CONSIDER POSSIBLY
CHANGING SOME OF OUR DEVELOPMENT
CODE AND THAT WE REQUIRE PEOPLE
TO DEVELOP BASED ON 25 YEAR
FLOOD EVENT.
SO THOSE ARE CONVERSATIONS THAT
ARE DIFFICULT.
>>MANY LOCAL GOVERNING BODIES
THAT GET THEIR REVENUES FROM
PROPERTY TAXES MAY EXPERIENCE
SOME FINANCIAL INSTABILITY.
ROBIDEAUX HOPES LAFAYETTE CAN
MAKE UP THE LOSS IN SALES TAX.
>> LAFAYETTE WAS MORE FORTUNATE
THAN A LOT OF THE MUNICIPALITIES
BECAUSE OUR CORE ECONOMY OF
BUSINESSES WERE NOT AFFECTED AND
SO WHEN THE REBUILD EFFORT
OCCURS; FOR US HERE IN
LAFAYETTE; THEY'RE GOING TO SHOP
LOCALLY; GET THEIR BUILDING
MATERIALS LOCALLY.
>> THE GOVERNOR'S ASK OF THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INCLUDES $600
MILLION FOR INFRASTRUCTURE
PROJECTS LIKE A CANAL THAT WOULD
DIVERT WATER FROM THE AMITE
RIVER UNDER EXTREME FLOODING
EVENTS. EDWARDS' OFFICE IS
HOPEFUL ABOUT THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT'S EXPEDIENCY.
>> MANY TIMES AFTER A STORM
YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE FIRST
APPROPRIATION, COMPARABLE TO OUR
$438 MILLION, COMING SIX MONTHS,
EIGHT MONTHS AFTER THE STORM. IN
JUST OVER TWO MONTHS, WE'VE HAD
OUR FIRST APPROPRIATION.
>> PENDARVIS, WHO IS ALSO A
PASTOR, IS TAKING THINGS IN
STRIDE.
>> ITS JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS;
I'M NOT UPSET ABOUT IT; NOT
RAISING SAND ABOUT IT, I JUST
KNOW THE LORD KNOWS ALL ABOUT IT
AND THE LORD SAYS HE WOULDN'T
PUT MORE ON US THAN WE CAN BEAR.
>> JOINING US TO EXPLORE BEYOND
THE FLOOD IS OUR STUDIO
AUDIENCE. IT INCLUDES PARISH
OFFICIALS, DISPLACED RENTERS AND
REBUILDING EXPERTS. WE ALSO HAVE
LEGISLATIVE YOUTH ADVISORY
COUNCIL STUDENTS FROM FLOOD
EFFECTED AREAS. THANKS TO
EVERYONE FOR BEING HERE.
THIS NATURAL DISASTER CAN BE
DEFINED BY SEVERAL HISTORIC
FIGURES, SO LET'S START THERE.
>> BASED ON DATA FROM FEMA, OVER
50 PERCENT OF THE HOMES IMPACTED
BY BOTH OF THESE FLOODS WERE NOT
IN FEMA'S 100-YEAR FLOODPLAIN
AND 78 PERCENT OF IMPACTED HOMES
DID NOT HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE.
25 PERCENT OF IMPACTED RESIDENTS
WERE RENTERS. ATTENTION HAS
LARGELY BEEN PAID TO HOMEOWNERS,
BUT THE STATE IS ASKING FOR $180
MILLION FROM THE FEDERAL
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN
DEVELOPMENT TO AID RENTERS.
DAMAGES TO BUSINESSES AND
AGRICULTURE ARE ESTIMATED TO
EXCEED $3.2 BILLION, WITH 6,000
BUSINESSES FLOODED. THE
GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ESTIMATES $120
MILLION OF PUBLIC INVESTMENT
WILL BE NEEDED TO AVOID CLOSURES
AND JOB LOSS.
BUT THOSE NUMBERS DON'T PAINT
THE ENTIRE PICTURE WHAT ABOUT
THE HUMAN IMPACT? WHAT ARE SOME
HURDLES YOU ARE EXPERIENCING?
I'LL OPEN THAT UP TO THE
AUNDIENCE.
>> I'D LIKE TO GO TO ASHLEY AND
JUDY.
A MOTHER AND DAUGHTER GREATLY
IMPACTED BY THE FLOOD.
START WITH YOU, ASHLEY.
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE.
>> WHAT YOU SAW ON CAMERA WAS MY
GRANDFATHER.
WE GREW UP THERE.
HE'S BEEN THERE FOR 86 YEARS.
MY CHILDHOOD HOME WAS LOST.
IT WAS PROBABLY ABOUT 9 FEET OF
WATER TO THE ROOF.
EVERYBODY IN MY FAMILY, EXTENDED
FAMILY, COUSINS, AUNTS, UNCLES
PRETTY MUCH LOST EVERYTHING.
>> WOW.
>> SO NOW IT'S THE QUESTION OF
WHAT TO DO NEXT.
TO REBUILD OR MOVE ON.
WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THAT FAMILY
LAND?
>> ONE OF YOUR CONCERNS, JUDY,
IS THAT BARRIER THEY BUILT ALONG
THE INTERSTATE.
THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT
BELIEVE THAT HAD A LOT TO DO
WITH THE FLOODING THERE.
>> YES.
WE'VE LIVED THERE FOR 40 YEARS.
AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT
WE EVER HAD WATER LIKE THAT.
SO THE INTERSTATE HAS ONLY BEEN
THERE FOR A LITTLE WHILE.
SO IT REALLY DID HAVE AN IMPACT
ON IT.
THE WATER STARTED COMING IN AT
5:00 THAT FRIDAY MORNING AND
KEPT GETTING DEEPER AND DEEPER.
SO IT COULDN'T GO ANYWHERE.
IT COULD ONLY SPREAD OUT ON THE
NORTH SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE.
IT COULDN'T GO FAST.
>> THE WATER CAME UP QUICKLY.
>> IT DID.
IT CAME UP QUICKLY.
>> YOU ALSO ARE A FLOOD VICTIM.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE.
>> WELL, I CALLED THE INSURANCE
COMPANY BECAUSE WE HAD NO WAY
OUT.
WE HAVE 11 HOMES.
9 OF THE 11 HOMES FLOODED.
WE HAD NOWHERE TO GO.
USUALLY YOU GO WITH YOUR MOM.
>> THE WHOLE FAMILY.
>> WE LOST 9 HOMES.
SO WE'RE ALL REBUILDING.
I GUESS THE HARDEST THING FOR ME
IS THE COMMUNICATION WE'VE GOT.
I DID HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE.
AND I THINK PEOPLE JUST NEED TO
REALIZE IT'S GOING TO BE A VERY
LONG PROCESS.
THE MONEY THAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED
TO GET IS GOING TO TAKE A WHILE
TO GET HERE.
THEY DON'T COMMUNICATE THAT TO
YOU.
YOU DON'T REALIZE YOU ARE GOING
TO HAVE TO HAVE A PLACE TO STAY
FOR 3, 4, 6 MONTHS.
SO WE'RE WAITING ON THE CHECK TO
COME IN.
>> SO YOU STILL HAVE HAD NO
ECONOMIC RELIEF?
>> NO, I HAD RECEIVED THE MONEY
AND USING THAT TO REBUILD THE
HOME.
BUT MY MOTHER HAS NOT RECEIVED
HER FLOOD INSURANCE.
SHE'S STUCK.
WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO SEND THE
CHECK?
IT'S FRUSTRATING.
>> YOU GOT FLOODED.
AND YOU DON'T HAVE FLOOD
INSURANCE?
OR YOUR FAMILY DIDN'T HAVE FLOOD
INSURANCE?
>> NO, SIR.
I WAS LIVING AT THE SAINT JOHN'S
APARTMENTS.
EVERY APARTMENT GOT FLOODED.
I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF MOVING
TO THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR.
AND MY PARENTS WERE TOLD THEY
DID NOT NEED FLOOD INSURANCE.
THEY DIDN'T HAVE IT AND WE ALL
LOST EVERYTHING.
>> AND YOU AS A RENTER, HOW ARE
YOU IMPACTED?
>> WELL, AS OF RIGHT NOW, I WAS
GIVEN RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND TOLD
I DIDN'T QUALIFY FOR ANYTHING
ELSE.
GIVEN -- SO TOOK PICTURES AND
DOCUMENTED EVERYTHING.
AND JUST BECAUSE WE DON'T OWN
OUR HOMES.
I WAS ABOUT TO BECOME A
HOMEOWNER.
BUT THE FLOOD KIND OF TOOK CARE
OF ALL THAT.
>> THAT PUT THAT OFF AT LEAST
FOR A WHILE.
>> DESTROYED MY CAR.
CAN'T WORK TWO OF MY JOBS.
SO AS IT STANDS, IF I DON'T GET
SOME TYPE OF HELP, I MIGHT HAVE
TO VOLUNTEER FOR DEPLOYMENT JUST
TO SHAPE BACK.
>> YOU HAD FLOOD INSURANCE;
CORRECT?
>> THAT'S CORRECT.
>> TELL US ABOUT YOUR
EXPERIENCE.
>> WELL, IT WAS DEFINITELY HARD
FOR ME.
I HAD A NEW BORN IN THE HOUSE.
THE WATER COMING IN SO QUICKLY,
DIDN'T HAVE MUCH TIME TO DECIDE
WHAT TO DO WITH THINGS.
CALLED MY INSURANCE THE NEXT DAY
AND DID GET SOME ASSISTANCE FOR
RENTAL INSURANCE.
FORTUNATE ENOUGH.
A FAMILY OF FOUR IS KIND OF
TIGHT.
IT'S A BLESSING TO HAVE THEM.
THIS IS PROCESS.
IT'S JUST TAKING A LONG TIME.
>> YOU CAN KIND OF GIVE US A
PERSPECTIVE BEING WITH THE --
ABOUT RENTERS IN GENERAL.
A LOT OF THE APARTMENTS WERE
LOST IN THIS FLOOD.
>> THERE WERE NO MORE UNITS.
>> WHAT HAPPENS TO THE PEOPLE
DISPLACED AND WHAT HAPPENS TO
THE OWNERS OF THE APARTMENTS AND
HOW DO THEY REBUILD?
>> THOSE ARE GOOD QUESTIONS.
I KNOW FOR THE RENTERS THEY
SCRAMBLED JUST LIKE ALL THE
HOMEOWNERS DID AND THAT CREATED
A GREAT INFLUX OF NEEDS.
WASN'T A GREAT DEAL OF VACANCY
TO BEGIN WITH.
SO THE FIRST COME FIRST SERVICE
SITUATION MADE IT HARD FOR
PEOPLE TO LIVE.
>> TELL US ABOUT YOUR
EXPERIENCE.
YOU WERE FLOODED.
>> WE GOT A FOOT OF WATER.
MY HUSBAND AND I PAID FOR OUR
HOMES.
BUT THE COST OF REBUILDING OUR
HOUSE IS REALLY COSTING US MORE
TO REBUILD THAN BUY THE HOUSE 25
YEARS AGO.
WE DO HAVE A SECOND FLOOR.
WE HAVE TO GIVE CREDIT TO FEMA.
THEY PUT $20,000 IN OUR HANDS.
AND WE HAD ENOUGH MONEY TO HIRE
A CONTRACTOR.
WE WERE ABLE TO QUALIFY FOR THE
SBA LOANS.
AND I WAS ABLE TO BORROW MY
DEFERRED COMPENSATION I KNOW
THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO
HAD HOMES AND THEY CANNOT AFFORD
TO PAY TO REBUILD.
THE GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO GO TO
THEIR RESCUE.
I FEEL WHEN THIS IS ALL OVER
WITH, I'M GOING TO HAVE LESS
THAN WHAT THEY HAD.
I'M GOING TO HAVE A TON OF DEBT.
THE GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO GO TO
THEIR RESCUE.
BETWEEN THE TWO OF US, WE'VE
WORKED FOR 70 YEARS.
AND THAT'S HURTFUL TO ME.
SEND MY KIDS TO COLLEGE.
PREPARE FOR A RAINY DAY AND ALL
OF THAT IS DISSIPATING.
I'M GOING TO END UP WITH A
LOADED DEBT.
SOME OF THESE PEOPLE THE
GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO HELP
THEM.
AND IT'S VERY FRUSTRATING.
>> SO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OF
HOMELAND SECURITY WE SERVE AS A
STATE AGENCY THAT LIAISONS
THROUGH BOTH THE RESPONSES AND
THE RECOVERY PHASE FOR THIS.
BUT LOOKING FORWARD TO
MITIGATING AND GROWING STRONGER
AS WE LOOK FORWARD.
TO REBUILD IN A WAY THAT BETTER
PROTECTS THEM FROM THE FLOOD
RISK MOVING FORWARD.
OBVIOUSLY, WE'RE WORKING WITH
THE GOVERNOR'S STAFF AND THE
TASK FORCE AND LOOKING AT ARE
THERE OPPORTUNITIES TO UTILIZE
THE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES WE
WILL HAVE AS MORE FUNDING GETS
APPROPRIATED THAT KEEP US FROM
GETTING INTO A SITUATION WHERE
WE HAVE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE
RECOVERING IN A PATCHWORK
FASHION AND THIS HOUSE GETS
ELEVATED AND TWO HOUSES DOWN
DOES NOT.
AND THEN YOU HAVE A VACANT LOT
NEXT TO THAT.
SO CERTAINLY, OUR FIRST LOOK AND
OUR FIRST ATTEMPT IS TO TRY TO
LEVERAGE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
THAT ALLOW GREATER FLOOD
PROTECTION FOR THE COMMUNITY AND
NOT JUST SIMPLY A HOUSE BY HOUSE
APPROACH TO UTILIZING THAT
FUNDING.
>> WHAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH IS
DEAL WITH WHAT HAPPENED WHICH IS
TERRIBLE.
AND WE HAVE TO HAVE A PLAN FOR
THE FUTURE IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN.
SO YOU ARE HAVING TO DEAL WITH
TWO DIFFERENT THINGS AT THE SAME
TIME.
>> CORRECT.
MITIGATION REALLY IS LOOKING
FORWARD.
FORWARD.
BUT CERTAINLY FOR AN EVENT LIKE
THIS AN IMPORTANT RECOVERY.
WITHOUT CLARITY ABOUT HOW THAT
FUNDING WILL BE SPENT AND WHAT
PROTECTION WILL BE ABLE TO BE
FUNDED, SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS OF
CITIZENS ARE STRUGGLING WITH
WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?
>> A LONG PROCESS.
ALL RIGHT.
>> THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE
FOR THIS PORTION OF OUR SHOW.
WHEN WE RETURN, WE'LL BE JOINED
BY OUR PANEL TO FURTHER EXPLORE
>> WELCOME BACK TO LOUISIANA
PUBLIC SQUARE. TONIGHT WE'RE
DISCUSSING LOUISIANA'S RECOVERY
FROM RECENT FLOODING. JOINING US
NOW IS OUR PANEL OF EXPERTS.
WAYNE RICKARD IS A FEDERAL
DISASTER RECOVERY COORDINATOR
WITH FEMA. HE HAS SERVED AT FEMA
FOR 26 YEARS IN VARIOUS
POSITIONS, SUCH AS AN EMERGENCY
ANALYST, HAZARD MITIGATION
OFFICER, AND FIELD OFFICE
DIRECTOR.
AVA DEJOIE IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
OF THE LOUISIANA WORKFORCE
COMMISSION. SHE WAS APPOINTED BY
GOVERNOR JOHN BEL EDWARDS. THE
COMMISSION MONITORS EMPLOYMENT,
PROVIDES TRAINING RESOURCES FOR
EMPLOYERS AND JOB-SEEKERS AND
OVERSEES WORKER COMPENSATION
BENEFITS.
ADAM KNAPP IS PRESIDENT AND CEO
OF THE BATON ROUGE AREA CHAMBER,
A MEMBER OF THE RESTORE
LOUISIANA TASK FORCE, AND A
FORMER MEMBER OF THE LOUISIANA
RECOVERY AUTHORITY, WHICH AIDED
REBUILDING AFTER THE 2005
HURRICANES.
PAT FORBES IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
OF THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT AND IS HELPING TO
STRUCTURE THE FLOOD ASSISTANCE
PROGRAMS FUNDED BY THE FEDERAL
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN
DEVELOPMENT. FORBES ALSO WORKED
WITH THE LRA.
BEFORE WE GO TO OUR AUDIENCE
QUESTIONS, I'D LIKE TO ASK YOU
ALL, FROM YOUR POINT OF VIEW,
WHAT'S THE STATUS OF RECOVERY?
>> I'LL START HERE AND WORK OUR
WAY DOWN THE PANEL.
>> I WOULD SAY IT IS DIFFICULT
TO COMPARE ONE DISASTER TO
ANOTHER.
I THINK WE'RE COMING ALONG WELL.
THEY ARE EXTREMELY RESILIENT.
THEY HAVE TAKEN THE RESOURCES WE
HAVE PUTTING THEM TO WORK AND
DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE
SURE THAT WE GET THE EXTERNAL
RESOURCES WE NEED.
IT'S JUST BEEN A VERY EFFECTIVE
EFFICIENT RESPONSE.
IT STILL DOESN'T LOOK VERY GOOD
TO YOU RIGHT NOW.
IN TERMS OF LOOKING AT IT AS A
MAJOR DISASTER, WE AS A STATE
ARE DOING WELCOMING BACK.
MAYBE NOW HIGH SCHOOL IF WE WERE
IN HIGH SCHOOL.
MAYBE WE ARE IN SECOND SEMESTER
OF FRESHMAN YEAR.
YOU KNOW WHERE THE BATHROOMS ARE
YET.
WE COME FROM THE VANTAGE POINT
OF ECONOMIC RECOVERY AND LOOK
FOR THE CHALLENGES OF
BUSINESSES.
THE SAME SCENARIOS YOU HEAR ARE
SO MANY BUSINESSES WITHOUT FLOOD
INSURANCE.
AND THE RESOURCES OF RECOVERY
AND THE RESOURCES OF RECOVERY
ARE STILL SLIM.
WE LOOKED AT THE ANALYSIS OF
BUSINESS DATA AND MAYBE 25% ARE
ABLE TO BE ACCESSING WHAT IS
AVAILABLE THROUGH THE S B.A.,
THE SMALL BUSINESS
ADMINISTRATION.
SO LARGELY, ANOTHER CHAPTER,
ANOTHER ACT TO COME FOR BUSINESS
RECOVERY IN GENERAL.
>> THIS IS A LOSS AND A TRAGEDY
FOR ALL THOSE THAT WERE FLOODED
AND FOR THOSE THAT WEREN'T
FLOODED IT STILL IMPACTS THEIR
COMMUNITY.
SO IT'S DIFFICULT TO SAY THAT
WHERE YOU ARE IN THAT GRIEVING
PROCESS BECAUSE IT IS VERY MUCH
A PROCESS.
I THINK WE ARE WORKING OUR WAY
AT DIFFERENT PACES THROUGH THE
HEALING AND TO AN EVENTUAL -- I
CAN NEVER SAY CONCLUSION BECAUSE
THE PROCESS IS CONTINUING AND
STARTING OVER.
I THINK IT IS PROCEEDING FOR
EVERYONE AT A DIFFERENT PACE.
>> AS THE GUY ON THIS PANEL WHO
IS BLAMED -- FROM FAMOUS
PERSPECTIVE, WHERE ARE WE IN
THIS PROCESS?
>> WELL, TO USE ADAM'S ANALOGY,
IF WE REVIEW THE HIGH SCHOOL
ANALOGY AS SHORT-TERM RECOVERY,
WHEN WE COMPLETE THAT, WE HAVE
THE LONG-TERM RECOVERY WHICH IS
LIFE FOR US AS A COLLECTIVE.
THE STATE OF LOUISIANA, I THINK,
WAS BECAUSE OF THE SPRINGTIME
FLOOD AND THE IMPACTS OF THOSE
COMMUNITIES AND HOUSEHOLDS,
WE'RE ALREADY LEANING FORWARD.
AND SO WHEN THE AUGUST FLOOD
OCCURRED, A LOT OF MECHANISMS
HAD ALREADY BEEN PUT IN PLACE BY
THE GOVERNOR EDWARDS INCLUDING
THE THOUGHT PROCESS ON THE
GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE.
AND THE WAY THAT THE FEDERAL
AGENCIES, THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND
NON-PROFITS AND EVEN
PHILANTHROPY, THAT COMMUNITY
WOULD BE WORKING ON THE DISASTER
RECOVERY FROM THE SPRING FLOOD.
SO WHILE THE SECOND FLOOD WAS
EVEN A GREATER MAGNITUDE AND
SCOPE, BECAUSE OF THOSE
MECHANISMS WERE IN PLACE, THINGS
STARTED MOVING FASTER THAN THEY
WOULD NORMALLY HAVE DONE IN THE
FLOOD THAT OCCURRED IN AUGUST.
>> I WANT TO GO TO SOME OF OUR
AUDIENCE QUESTIONS.
THE MOST APPROPRIATE QUESTION IS
RIGHT WHERE I STARTED THIS
PROGRAM.
AND THAT'S GO TO SOME OF THE
VICTIMS.
WHAT'S YOUR QUESTION FOR THIS
PANEL?
>> MY QUESTION IS ON THE I-12
DAM IN WALKER, IS THERE ANY WORK
GOING TO BE DONE TO ALLEVIATE
THAT PROBLEM?
ANY WORK TO BE DONE TO DO
SOMETHING ABOUT THAT?
OR ONLY AS FLOOD VICTIMS SEE
THAT AS A PROBLEM.
>> I HEARD THAT BUT I'M NOT
FAMILIAR WITH WHERE THEY ARE IN
THE STUDY PROCESS FOR
ESTABLISHING WHAT IMPACT IT
MIGHT HAD ON THE FLOODS.
I DO KNOW THAT WE ARE PLANNING
AND MODELING ALL THESE FLOOD
BASINS.
AND WE WILL KNOW THAT WHEN WE
GET DONE.
>> I HAVE A PICTURE OF THE WATER
ON THE NORTH SIDE IS LEVEL.
AND THERE'S NO WATER ON THE
SOUTH SIDE AT ALL.
SO, I MEAN, THAT'S GOT TO TELL
SOMEBODY SOMETHING THAT IF SOME
WATER HAD GOTTEN THROUGH THERE,
MAYBE MY HOUSE --
>> I THINK PART OF THE PROBLEM
IS I'M NOT SURE ANYBODY HERE ON
OUR PANEL CAN REALLY DIRECTLY
RESPOND TO THAT.
AND IT IS A MATTER OF LITIGATION
NOW.
SO IT'S PROBABLY A DIFFICULT
THING TO TALK ABOUT.
>> I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS --
TO GIVE EVERYONE THE IDEA OF THE
AMOUNT OF WATER THAT WE RECEIVED
OVER THE DAYS OF RAIN AND
FLOODING, IT WOULD TAKE THE
MISSISSIPPI RIVER 17 DAYS TO
DRAIN THAT AMOUNT OF WATER INTO
THE GULF OF MEXICO.
SO IMAGINE, YOU KNOW, THE MOUTH
OF THE RIVER, 17 DAYS.
THAT'S HOW MUCH WATER WE'VE
RECEIVED.
>> WHAT ABOUT CASEY.
CAN YOU RESPOND AT ALL TO THIS
ABOUT THE WHOLE IDEA OF
DIVERTING SOME OF THAT WATER AND
PREVENTING THESE THINGS FROM
HAPPENING?
>> AS WE LOOK FORWARD AND
MR. FORBES MENTIONED AND LOOK AT
THE CURRENT CONDITIONS AND HAVE
THE DATA AND THE INFORMATION TO
HELP US LOOK FORWARD INTO THE
FUTURE IN TERMS OF WHAT DOES THE
BUILT ENVIRONMENT LOOK LIKE.
WHETHER IT'S ROADS,
INFRASTRUCTURE, SUBDIVISIONS OR
INFRASTRUCTURE, SUBDIVISIONS OR
WHATEVER IT IS.
ALL OF THOSE THINGS COME INTO
PLAY.
THE RIVER SYSTEMS THEMSELVES ARE
CHANGING AND ARE LIVING SYSTEMS.
SO ONE OF THE THINGS THEY ASK US
TO DO IS LOOK AT LARGE SCALE
SOLUTIONS AND TRY TO ADDRESS THE
LARGE-SCALE PROBLEMS WE HAVE
EXPERIENCED WITH THOSE TYPE OF
SOLUTIONS.
>> I WANT TO MOVE TO BUTCH
BROWNING.
AND I WANT TO CHANGE THE SUBJECT
A LITTLE BIT.
I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THIS IN A
LITTLE BIT.
THE FIRE SERVICE IS BEING
AFFECTED BY THIS IN TWO WAYS.
ONE, YOU ARE FLOOD VICTIMS.
LOST A LOT OF FIRE HOUSES.
AND TWO, THE WHOLE IDEA OF TAX
COLLECTIONS BEING IMPACTED BY
THIS AFFECTS YOUR FUNDING.
>> CORRECT.
THIS IS A GREAT FORMAT AND I
APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING THE
FACES OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE
HURTING.
INCREASED RESPONSE TIMES.
WE SEE MORE EMERGENCIES AFTER A
DISASTER.
BUT THE REAL BLOW FROM THE
FIREFIGHTERS WHO HAD TO GO HOME
AND DEAL WITH THE OWN HOMES.
THE REAL PROBLEM IS MOST OF
THOSE OPERATE ON TAXES.
AND WE'VE ALREADY SEEN THE
REASSESSMENT OF PROPERTY AND
TAXES IN DECEMBER WOULD BE
DISPERSED GOING DOWN.
NOW, THE GOVERNOR ACTED REAL
QUICKLY.
IT'S A LONG PROGRAM.
TAKEN MONEY TO PAY TAL REES
RIGHT NOW.
SO IT'S REAL SCARY TO SAY
NOTHING ABOUT THE LONG-TERM
READINESS.
THE GOVERNOR BROUGHT US TOGETHER
AND DID AN EXERCISE.
AND HAD THAT HAVE HAPPENED, BEEN
CALLING THE RESOURCE TO RESPOND
BECAUSE WE LOST A LOT OF
RESOURCES.
AND GET THESE FIRE STATIONS BACK
IN SHAPE.
>> LET'S TURN THAT INTO A
QUESTION.
QUESTION.
>> HOW DO WE DEAL WITH THE
PARTICULAR ENTITIES.
OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES OUR
BIGGEST CONCERN HAS BEEN THE
AFFECT OF WHAT YOU JUST TALKED
ABOUT.
THE REASSESSMENT CHANGING OF
REVENUE THROUGH THE FIRE
DISTRICTS AS WELL AS GENERAL
SERVICES OF GOVERNMENT.
WE HAVE EXPECTATIONS OF
GOVERNMENT WORKING TO PROVIDE
SERVICES.
AND THERE'S A BIG CHALLENGE TO
THE COMMUNITIES RIGHT NOW.
AS FAR AS PLANNING INTO NEXT
YEAR, THIS COMING MONTH AND THEY
ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO JANUARY
WITH A BIG QUESTION MARK.
THEY ARE ALSO DOING THE RIGHT
THING TO GIVE SOME AMOUNT OF
PROPERTY TAX RELIEF TO
HOMEOWNERS WHO ARE SITTING ON
PROPERTY THAT'S DAMAGED.
AND THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY
ARE NOT PAYING PROPERTY TAXES ON
A PROPERTY THAT MIGHT HAVE HAD A
LOWER ASSESSED VALUE.
SO THERE'S THIS REAL GIVE AND
TAKE THAT'S HAPPENING WHICH IS
HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE THE
SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE WHERE
THEY ARE NOT PAYING TOO MUCH
RIGHT NOW.
IT IS A REAL PROBLEM THAT IS
BEHIND THE SCENES FOR MOST
FOLKS.
>> THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO PAY
THEIR BILLS AND LAY FIREFIGHTERS
OFF.
SO IT IS A PROBLEM.
IN THE KATRINA MODEL, I CAN
REMEMBER THAT.
AND AT THE END OF THAT PERIOD,
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR GAVE
THOSE LOANS.
SO I ASKED THE TASK FORCE TO
RESEARCH THAT PARADIGM SO WE CAN
LEARN FROM THAT.
>> AND YOU TALK ABOUT THOSE
ENTITIES AND SHE'S OVER EXTENDED
HERSELF TO DEAL WITH THIS.
THE WHOLE PROCESS OF GETTING
LOANS ACTUALLY DOUBLES YOU UP
BOTH FIRE DEPARTMENT AND
INDIVIDUALS.
HOW DO WE DEAL WITH THAT?
>> I WILL SAY THAT THE GOVERNOR
HAS GONE TO WASHINGTON D.C. AND
REQUESTED $3.7 BILLION TO HELP
WITH SOME OF THOSE PROBLEMS.
OUR EXPERIENCE IN DISASTER IS
THAT EVERYBODY GETS MADE WHOLE
AND THE BEST THAT YOU CAN TRY TO
DO IS TRY TO HELP EVERYBODY THAT
YOU CAN ACHIEVE THE RECOVERY.
AND REBUILD ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT
ANY HELP, THE GOVERNOR IS IN
WASHINGTON, TRYING TO GET FUNDS.
MORE THAN THE $428 MILLION WE
HAVE RIGHT NOW.
SO WE HAVE A BROADER RANGE OF
DEAL.
IT'S A FRACTION OF THE AMOUNT OF
MONEY THEY NEED TO HELP THE
HOMEOWNERS WHO HAD MAJOR SEVERE
DAMAGE AND DID NOT HAVE FLOOD
INSURANCE.
>> WHEN ARE PEOPLE GOING TO
START SEEING IN THEIR HOMES AND
CHECKBOOKS THAT $438 MILLION?
>> WELL, AS YOU MIGHT GUESS,
LONG PROCESS TO MAKE THE MONEY
AVAILABLE.
WHAT WE'RE WAITING FOR IS HAS TO
WRITE A THING THAT DESCRIBES THE
WAY THE MONEY CAN BE SPENT.
AT THAT POINT, WE'LL TELL THEM
HOW WE WANT TO SPEND THE FIRST
BATCH OF MONEY AND WE'LL START
HAVING PROGRAMS PROBABLY
SOMETIME IN THE SPRING,
SOMETHING LIKE THAT WHEN PEOPLE
CAN ACCESS MONEY FROM THIS.
>> THAT'S A LONG TIME.
>> IT'S NOT A LONG TIME COMPARED
TO MOST DISASTERS.
IT'S FAIRLEIGH SHORT.
>> I'M SURE IT MAKES ALL THE
VICTIMS IN HERE FEEL GREAT TO
KNOW THAT.
>> THERE ARE WITHIN THE
CONSTRAINTS OF HOW THIS MONEY IS
APPROPRIATED BY CONGRESS AND
ALLOCATED BY HUD AND APPROVED BY
HUD THAT WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING
WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S AS
FAST AS POSSIBLE.
AND NEVER BE FAST ENOUGH.
YOU REALLY SORT OF -- THE FEMA
COMING IN AFTER THE DISASTER IS
IMMEDIATE RELIEF TO TRY TO HELP
PEOPLE MAKE IT THROUGH.
AND THE LONG-TERM RECOVERY IS
WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO FUND.
SO PEOPLE CAN BE MADE WHOLE AND
NOT HAVE THAT HUGE DAMAGE TO
THEIR FUTURE, AND RETIRE, THOSE
KINDS OF THINGS.
>> THE LOAN PROGRAMS WHETHER
IT'S S B.A. OR THE COMMUNITY
DISASTER LOAN PROGRAM THROUGH
ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ARE JUST
SAFETY NETS.
SO FOR THOSE WHO AVAIL
THEMSELVES OF THAT, IT'S
PROBABLY HAPPENED AT A VITAL
TIME.
TIME.
RECOUGH REE IS GOING TO BE
LONG-TERM.
THE TRADITIONAL PROGRAMS ARE
SHORT-TERM.
AND IN DISASTERS AND APPOINTED
TO.
WE BRING IN AGENCIES TO BRIDGE
THE GAP.
WE HAVE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
WORKING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ADMINISTRATION WORKING WITH US
ON BUSINESS RECOVERY AND IMPACTS
TO BUSINESSES AND HOW WE CAN
LESSEN SOME OF THE DISRUPTIONS
IN THE FUTURE.
WE'RE WORKING WITH HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES ON HEALTH AND
SOCIAL SERVICES ISSUES BECAUSE
OF ALL OF THIS POPULATIONS FROM
THE FLOOD.
HAVING TO SHOW CHILDREN BACK AND
FORTH BETWEEN SCHOOLS THAT MAYBE
WEREN'T THEIR NORMAL SCHOOL OF
RECORD.
AND THEN WE'VE BEEN DISPLACED.
THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR
LOOKING AT NATURAL AND CULTURAL
RESOURCE ISSUES SO THEY ARE
BRINGING THEIR RESOURCES TO BEAR
UNDER THEIR CITY STATE PROGRAMS.
>> WE'VE FALLEN INTO A
THREE-PART QUESTION.
AND I WANT TO TURN TO YOU AND
SEE ARE YOU HEARING WHAT YOU
WANT TO HEAR HERE?
>> I LIKE TO KNOW THE PLAN.
THAT WAS THE FIRST PART OF MY
QUESTION.
I KNEW THAT WE HAD $438 MILLION
WE ALREADY RECEIVED.
BUT MY MAIN QUESTION WAS WHY
WEREN'T WE SEEING THIS BEING
IMPLEMENTED ALREADY?
AND I JUST HAD A QUESTION
WONDERING THE OTHER TWO PARTS TO
MY QUESTION WERE WHENEVER YOU
ALL GO TO DISPERSE THIS MONEY,
IS THERE A BETTER WAY TO EVENLY
DISPERSE IT?
I'VE HEARD MANY ACCOUNTS OF
PEOPLE WHO WHEN THEY GOT THEIR
PROPERTIES ASSESSED, THIS PERSON
GOT $25 FOR A REFRIGERATOR AND
THIS PERSON GOT $300 FOR A
DISHWASHER AND DIDN'T EVEN HAVE
A DISHWASHER TO START OFF WITH.
SO THAT WAS MY QUESTION.
I READ ABOUT SOME OF THE
INSTANCES DURING KATRINA WHERE
THEY BASED THE FEDERAL MONEY
BASED ON THE PROPERTY VALUE OF
THE HOUSE AND NOT ON THE DAMAGE.
SO I WAS WONDERING IF THERE
WOULD BE A MORE EVEN FAIRWAY TO
DISPERSE THE MONEY OUT?
>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.
>> IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUNDS, THE
$438 MILLION, ALL THE DAMAGE
EVALUATIONS WILL BE THAT.
HOW MUCH DAMAGE YOUR HOME
RECEIVED.
WON'T BE ANY CONSIDERATION OF
PRE-STORM VALUE.
BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE NEED
TO GET BACK IN THEIR HOMES AND
HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE.
WITH RESPECT TO FAIRNESS, I HAVE
TO SAY THAT SOING SOMETHING
EVERYBODY SEES IS FAIR IS ALMOST
ALWAYS IMPOSSIBLE.
WHAT THAT MEANS RIGHT NOW IS
THAT WE ARE ASKING FOR $3
BILLION JUST TO HELP HOMEOWNERS.
RIGHT NOW WE HAVE $438 MILLION.
SO WE HAVE TO LOOK AT SOME
SUBSET OF THE POPULATION FOR WHO
WE ARE GOING TO HELP FIRST.
AND MOST LIKELY, THE FOLKS AND
WE HAVE A TASK FORCE MEETING
THIS FRIDAY.
SO THAT'S YET TO BE DECIDED.
BUT MOST LIKELY THAT POPULATION
WILL BE LOW TO MODERATE INCOME.
THEY WON'T LIVE IN THE FLOOD
PLAIN.
THEY WON'T HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE.
FOLKS WHO HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE
HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET BACK IN
THEIR HOMES OR HAVE A PLAN.
SO WHEN THE RESOURCES ARE LESS
THAN WE NEED TO GET EVERYBODY
BACK WHERE THEY NEED TO BE,
WE'VE HAD TO START MAKING SOME
SORTS OF PRIORITIZATION
DECISIONS.
THOSE DECISIONS ARE WHAT WE
EXPECT THEM TO DO IS HELP THE
MOST VULNERABLE POST.
TO ACCESS OTHER RESOURCES TO GET
BACK IN THEIR HOMES.
>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SO MANY
DIFFERENT PEOPLE.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FIRE
DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES AND
PEOPLE'S JOBS.
A LOT OF COMPONENTS THAT HAVE
ALL BEEN DAMAGED.
AND YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT
THAT.
>> I DO.
FROM 2004 AND 2008, ADAM AND I
WORKED TOGETHER.
WE ALL WORKED TOGETHER ON THIS
ISSUE.
ADAM IS CHAIRING THE
SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE TASK FORCE
DEAL WITHING SMALL BUSINESS
RECOVERY.
SO WE CAN TELL THEM WHAT'S GOING
ON.
ON.
OUR WORKING GROUP HAS BEEN
CONSIDERING WHERE THE VAST
MAJORITY HAS BEEN.
IMPACTING SMALL FIRMS MORE THAN
ANYTHING ELSE.
AND THE LACK OF RESOURCES ARE
THERE.
FROM SOME OF THE DATA WE PULLED
TO THE BUSINESSES SOMEWHERE
AROUND 14% HAD FLOOD INSURANCE.
WE'VE SEEN SOME OF THE DATA ON
HOMEOWNERS.
WHAT THE PROGRAM, AGAIN, $438
MILLION IS NOT GOING TO HAVE A
HUGE -- THAT LIMITED POOL
FOCUSED ALREADY ON HOMEOWNERS
AND RIGHTLY SO.
THE LIMITED AMOUNT OF RESOURCES
ARE FOCUSED ON TRYING TO GET
SOME INITIAL ASSISTANCE TO
BUSINESSES THAT ARE NOT GOING TO
BE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE
PROGRAMS.
IF MORE APPROPRIATIONS COME,
BRIDGE ASSISTANCE THROUGH
EXISTING BANKS.
WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING WHICH IS
FOR A BLEND OF GRANTS AND LOANS
TO GET THEM INITIAL EQUIPMENT
THROUGH GRANTS AND LOAN ASSIST
ASSISTANCE TO S B.A. LOANS FOR.
ASSISTANCE TO S B.A. LOANS FOR.
THE CHALLENGE WE'VE SEEN IS
FOLKS DON'T NECESSARILY WANT TO
COME IN AND BORROW AND TAKE ON
DEBT.
YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO
HAPPEN NEXT.
THE PEOPLE THAT NEED YOUR DENTAL
SERVICES ANY MORE.
ALL OF YOUR THINGS ARE TIED INTO
THE COMMUNITY RECOVERY AT THE
SAME TIME.
ALL OF THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY IS
CENTERED ON HOMEOWNER AND
INDIVIDUAL RECOVERY.
AND THEN RECOGNIZING BUSINESS
RECOVERY WILL COME AS
COMMUNITIES RECOVERY WITH THE
HOPE SOME OF THE PROGRAMS CAN
STAND UP.
>> MANY OF THESE SMALL
BUSINESSES, THE PEOPLE THAT WORK
THERE ARE OUT OF WORK NOW.
SO WHAT ARE WE DOING FOR THE
PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS?
>> WELL, IMMEDIATELY THE
GOVERNOR SIGNED WE SECURED A
MILLION DOLLARS FROM U.S. DOL.
THE WORKFORCE COMMISSION
PROCESSED OVER 7,000 DISASTER
UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS IN THE 22
PERISH AREA.
WE'RE BEGINNING TO SEE A DECLINE
IN CONTINUING WEEKLY CLAIMS.
SOME PEOPLE TRANSITIONING OFF.
WE HAVE DISASTERS.
SECRETARY SEAN WILSON, THE
WORKFORCE COMMISSION RECEIVES
TEMPORARY JOB ASSISTANCE MONEY.
AND WE'RE SPENDING ABOUT $4.2
MILLION IN THAT.
WE ARE ABLE TO HIRE FOLKS TO
DISTRIBUTE GOODS AND ASSIST
THOSE THAT MAY NEED ANY TYPE OF
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SERVICES.
ACTUALLY SERVE AS THE STORE
HERE.
IT WAS A GREAT PUBLIC
PARTNERSHIP.
AND SOME OF THE CONTINUED CLEAN
UP EFFORTS ON THE INTERSTATES
BOTH STATE HIGHWAYS AND LOCAL
HIGHWAYS.
WE'RE WORKING WITH THE
CONTRACTORS COMING IN TO HELP
REBUILD AND WE'RE CONTINUING TO
PLACE PEOPLE.
WE'RE WORKING ON PLACING THOSE
THAT DID LOSE THEIR JOB.
>> WE HAVEN'T TOUCHED VERY MUCH.
WE HAVEN'T TOUCHED ON THE
COMPONENT OF GETTING BUILDING
PERMITS AND GETTING THE WHOLE
THING OF GETTING THE MECHANICS
GOING.
YOU HAD A QUESTION ABOUT THEIR
HOMES.
HOMES.
>> I DID.
IT'S BEEN A HUGE CHALLENGE FOR
THE CITY.
ALMOST OVERNIGHT YOU HAVE THIS
HUGE VOLUME OF WORK THAT YOU
HAVE TO DEAL WITH AND PROCESSING
PERMITS TO TRY AND HELP THE
HOMEOWNERS.
AND CERTAINLY THE DISCUSSION
TONIGHT, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE
FUNDS.
WHEN AND IF THEY'LL BE
AVAILABLE.
SO YOU SURVIVE THE FLOOD.
YOU HOPEFULLY GET YOUR INSURANCE
MONEY AND MAKE IT THROUGH YOUR
MORTGAGE MAZE AND YOU GET TO THE
PERMIT OFFICE AND YOU ARE TOLD
YOU HAVE TO ELEVATE.
AND JUST LIKE A BRICK WALL.
IT'S A VERY WE'RE ASKED
EVERYDAY.
IS THERE GOING TO BE ASSISTANCE?
THEY WANT TO REBUILD AND GET
BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITY.
>> BIG ISSUE AFRICA TRINA.
ARE WE GOING TO HELP PEOPLE?
>> WHAT GOVERNOR EDWARDS HAS
SAID IS WHAT HE WANTS TO DO IS
ADDRESS THE FLOODING FROM A
WATER SHED.
IF WE ELEVATE, NEVER HAVE ENOUGH
MONEY.
SO IF WE ELEVATE A FEW PEOPLE,
THE SAME CHECKER BOARD SITUATION
CAN OCCUR.
THE LARGE SCALE LOCAL ORDINANCE
INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS,
NONINFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THAT
WILL LOWER THE BASE FLOOD
ELEVATION SO WE CAN REDUCE THE
NEED TO ELEVATE.
NOT TO SAY THERE WON'T BE
ELEVATIONS.
CERTAINLY WILL BE NEED FOREL --
ELEVATIONS.
WE KNOW THREE COMMUNITIES THAT
HAVE FLOODED 10 TIMES IN THE
LAST 12 YEARS.
SO MAYBE IT'S TIME FOR THAT
COMMUNITY TO MOVE AS A WHOLESOME
WHERE THAT'S SAFER AND DRIER.
SO WE CAN LOOK AT BUYOUTS AND
ELEVATIONS CERTAINLY.
BUT NOT AS THE FOCAL POINT OF
THE STRATEGY FOR REMEDIATION OF
FUTURE EVENTS.
IT'S MORE ABOUT TRYING TO MAKE
SURE WE HAVE WATER SHED THAT CAN
ABSORB THE WATER BETTER, MOVE IT
OFF AND NOT FLOOD PEOPLE OUT
WITHOUT HAVING TO ELEVATE THEM.
AGAIN, CERTAINLY NEED FOR
ELEVATIONS.
>> I WANT TO GO TO YOU BAILY.
YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE YOUTH
COUNCIL.
BUT YOU WERE ALSO FLOODED;
CORRECT?
>> I WAS.
>> WHAT IS YOUR QUESTION?
>> WELL, THE RETIRED ELDERLY,
ALL THEY HAVE IS GOVERNMENT
FUNDS.
MOST OF THEM CANNOT AFFORD FLOOD
INSURANCE.
WHAT IS YOUR PLAN?
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH
THEM?
>> THAT'S ACTUALLY A FEW
QUESTIONS IN ONE, I THINK.
FIRST, I WILL SAY THAT WE WILL
BE RECOMMENDING PRIORITIZATION
OF THE ELDERLY WITH RESPECT TO
REBUILDING FROM THE FUNDS THAT
ARE AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW.
SO THAT'S KEY.
WE KNOW THEY ARE A VULNERABLE
PART OF THE POPULATION.
WITH RESPECT TO FLOOD INSURANCE,
EVERYBODY IS IMPACTED VERY
SIMILARLY, OF COURSE.
MORE VULNERABLE POPULATIONS AND
LESS VULNERABLE POPULATIONS.
WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WERE
NOT IN THE FLOOD PLAIN.
DIDN'T THINK THEY WERE GOING TO
NEED FLOOD INSURANCE.
SO IT'S A HUGE PROBLEM.
AND WE'VE GOT TO -- ONE WAY TO
ADDRESS THAT IS TO REDUCE THE
BASE FLOOD ELEVATIONS.
SO TO THE EXTENT WE CAN DO THAT
FOR EVERYBODY, WE'LL BE
ASSISTING THE ELDERLY AS WELL.
AGAIN, WE'LL BE RECOMMENDING
PRIORITIZATION OF THE ELDERLY IN
OUR HOUSING PROGRAMS BECAUSE WE
KNOW THEY NEED HELP.
THEY NEED ASSISTANCE IN MORE
THAN JUST FINANCIAL.
>> DID THAT ANSWER YOUR
QUESTION?
>> IT DID.
WE'LL GO TO CASEY TINGLE.
I WAS LOOKING AT YOUR QUESTION.
IT'S REALLY A VERY GOOD
QUESTION.
WHY DON'T YOU ASK IT.
>> WELL, WE ARE A PART OF THE
RESPONSE AND RECOVERY FROM A
VARIETY OF DISASTERS OVERTIME.
DIFFERENT TYPES.
AND THEY ARE ALL DIFFERENT.
AND SO I JUST THOUGHT THAT MAYBE
A QUESTION THAT WOULD BE GOOD TO
ADDRESS TONIGHT IS WHAT ARE SOME
OF THE THINGS ABOUT THIS
RECOVERY UNIQUE AND DIFFERENT
FROM THOSE IN THE PAST.
>> IT'S A GREAT QUESTION.
ONE THING THAT'S DIFFERENT AND
UNIQUE IS THE FACT THAT THIS IS
NOT A HURRICANE MATTHEW OR A
HURRICANE ISAAC.
TWO MAJOR FLOODS HERE WE ARE
WORKING WITH ON THE STATE.
WHAT'S IMPORTANT ABOUT IT IS IT
DOES NOT TYPICALLY DRAW THE
NATIONAL MEDIA ATTENTION THAT
WOULD PROVIDE ADDITIONAL
ASSISTANCE FROM NON-PROFITS OR
DONATIONS.
AND SO BY IN LARGE A LOT OF THE
NATION DOESN'T REALLY RECOGNIZE
OR REALIZE THE SCOPE AND THE
MAGNITUDE OF THE IMPACTS AND THE
PAIN THAT FAMILIES ARE
EXPERIENCING.
THE DISPLACED POPULATIONS, THE
DISRUPTION OF THE SENSE OF
FAMILY AND COMMUNITY AND PLACE.
ALL THOSE THINGS ARE VERY
SIGNIFICANT.
HAVING SAID THAT THOUGH, ANOTHER
THING THAT'S UNIQUE IS THE FACT
THAT BOTH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE
WITH HIS SENIOR POLICY GROUP AND
HIS FORMATION OF RECOVERY
SUPPORT FUNCTIONS THAT WORK ON
THE SECTORS FROM HOUSING TO
INFRASTRUCTURE AND SOCIAL
SERVICES ISSUES.
THAT COMBINED WITH THE
GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE IS UNIQUE.
SO IT'S A POSITIVE IN THIS
ENVIRONMENT TO DEAL WITH WHAT
ARE TWO NEAR CATASTROPHIC
EVENTS.
THEY ARE LEVEL TWO DISASTERS AS
FAR AS THE NATION IS CONCERNED.
AND THAT MEANS THEORY EQUIVALENT
TO SUPER STORM SANDY AND KATRINA
AND SOME OF THE MAJOR NAME
STORMS THAT OCCURRED.
AND SO I THINK THAT'S UNIQUE.
THAT OUTSIDE AWARENESS OF WHAT
THE NEEDS ARE HERE AND THE
OPPORTUNITY.
HAVING SAID THAT, THE VOLUNTARY
ORGANIZATIONS AND THE PRIVATE
NON-PROFITS WITHIN THE STATE
HAVE BEEN VERY PHENOMENAL IN
STEPPING UP TO TRY TO HELP CLOSE
THE GAP AND THEY WILL BE PART OF
THAT SOLUTION.
>> WE SAW THIS AFTER KATRINA.
THERE'S ALWAYS FRAUD.
WHAT DID WE LEARN IN DEALING
WITH FRAUD.
>> WHEN IT COMES FROM FEMA
ASSISTANCE, WE'RE GOING TO AIR
ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION.
SO WHAT'S PROBABLY MOST
IMPORTANT IS THAT WE GET THE
DISASTER ASSISTANCE IN THE HANDS
AND FLOOD INSURANCE CLAIMS MONEY
IN THE HANDS OF THOSE WHO NEED
IT AS SOON AS WE CAN THROUGH THE
PROCESS.
AND THEN THERE IS A PROCESS TO
DEAL WITH THAT.
SO THERE'S A PROCESS FOR THE
ONES MEANT TO DO THAT.
>> VICTIMS WHO ARE VICTIMIZED BY
CONTRACTORS AND THINGS LIKE
THAT.
>> SHE WOULD REFER US TO THE
ATTORNEYS THAT WORK WITH THE
STATE.
STATE.
>> HOW DOES THE MONEY AFTER THE
DISASTER HERE COMPARED TO THE
AMOUNT OF MONEY AFRICA TRINA?
I KEEP HEARING PEOPLE SAYING THE
FEDS ARE HOLDING BACK BECAUSE SO
MANY PEOPLE SCAMMED THE SYSTEM.
ARE WE FEELING CONSEQUENCES NOW
BECAUSE OF WHATEVER HAPPENED
THEN?
>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.
NO CONSEQUENCES WHATSOEVER ON
THE DISASTER VICTIMS AND
SURVIVORS.
ASSISTANCE IS BASED ON THE
HOUSEHOLD MAKE UP AND THE
IMPACTS WHETHER THE SURVIVOR WAS
A REN -- RENTER OR A HOMEOWNER.
AND THE MAXIMUM GRANT WHICH IS
HARD TO REACH BECAUSE THERE'S A
LOT OF DIFFERENT FACTORS.
BUT THERE'S ONLY ABOUT 2800 OF
FAMILIES AND HOUSEHOLDS.
SO, AGAIN, IT'S A TIERED SYSTEM
AND BASED ON THE IMPACTS TO THAT
HOUSEHOLD.
AND THE HOUSEHOLD MAKE UP.
>> WE ONLY HAVE A FEW SECONDS
LEFT.
THERE'S SO MANY DIFFERENT
PROGRAMS OUT THERE.
IS THERE A CLEARINGHOUSE.
ONE PLACE THAT VICTIMS CAN GO TO
GET INFORMATION ABOUT ALL THE
VARIOUS PROGRAMS THAT ARE
AVAILABLE TO HELP THEM?
>> THE GOVERNOR'S WEB SITE IS A
GREAT PLACE TO GO TO SEE
RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE
RIGHT NOW.
WE'LL SAY THAT DOESN'T EXIST FOR
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BACKGROUND
BECAUSE THE PROGRAMS DON'T EXIST
YET.
BUT THEY WILL AND THEY WILL BE
OUTREACHED TO FIND FOLKS AND
MAKE SURE THEY KNOW WHAT'S
AVAILABLE TO THEM.
>> DISASTERASSISTANCE.GOV IS A
GOOD PLACE TO GO AS WELL.
AND OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES THAT
HAVE PROGRAMS, NOT JUST SBA.
PROGRAMS USDA AND OTHERS HAVE
PROGRAMS IN THEIR AREAS OF
RESPONSIBILITY.
SO I WOULD SAY TAKE A LOOK AT
THOSE OTHER WEB SITES AND
DISASTER ASSISTANCE IS A GOOD
PLACE TO START.
>> WELL WE'VE RUN OUT OF TIME
FOR OUR QUESTION AND ANSWER
SEGMENT. WE'D LIKE TO THANK OUR
PANELISTS - MR. RICKARD, MS.
DEJOIE, MR. KNAPP AND MR. FORBES
- FOR THEIR INSIGHT ON THIS
MONTH'S TOPIC. WHEN WE COME
BACK WE'LL HAVE A FEW CLOSING
>> WELL, CERTAINLY WE HAD SOME
GREAT INFORMATION TONIGHT.
IT'S A LONG ROAD NOW TO
RECOVERY.
AND A LOT OF INFORMATION STILL
NEEDS TO BE GATHERED.
>> YEAH, I THINK WE CAN SAY A
LOT OF QUESTIONS ANSWERED AND A
LOT OF QUESTIONS UNANSWERED.
AND THIS IS A LONG PROCESS.
>> WE CAN GO ON FOR A LONG TIME.
SCHOOL RECOVERY AS WELL.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
YEAH.
SO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT.
AND SO LITTLE TIME.
WE STILL HAVE TO THINK ABOUT ALL
THE PEOPLE DEAL WITHING THIS ON
A DAILY BASIS.
>> WELL THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE
HAVE FOR THIS EDITION OF
WE ALSO ENCOURAGE YOU TO COMMENT
ON TONIGHT'S SHOW AT LPB DOT
O-R-G SLASH PUBLIC SQUARE. WE'D
LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU.
ON NEXT MONTH'S LOUISIANA PUBLIC
SQUARE, WE'LL REVISIT A
CONVERSATION WE HAD IN MAY ABOUT