11.15.21 Update

Hurricane Ida Recovery Update

Monday, November 15, 2021

Parish President Hotard Brings Hurricane Ida Free Legal Services to St. John

  • Parish President Hotard announces partnership with Southeast Louisiana Legal Services to provide free Hurricane Ida disaster legal assistance to residents impacted by Hurricane Ida in St. John the Baptist Parish.
  • Hurricane Ida Disaster Legal Assistance is available by appointment every Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the legal clinic located at 1811 W. Airline Hwy in LaPlace. St. John the Baptist Parish residents seeking disaster-related legal assistance can contact Southeast Legal Services at 225-448-0080 ext. 336 to schedule an appointment. If no one answers, please leave your name and phone number and someone will call back.

FEMA

  • Survivors of Hurricane Ida have two weeks left to apply for individual assistance from FEMA. The final deadline to apply is Monday, Nov. 29.
  • FEMA assistance for individuals and families affected by Hurricane Ida can cover rental assistance, temporary housing, home repairs, personal property losses and other disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.
  • The easiest way to apply for FEMA assistance is online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Phone lines operate from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m., seven days a week.
  • Individuals can also visit a Disaster Recovery Center to apply and meet with FEMA specialists in person in the Garyville Library Parking Lot (9am-5pmMON-SAT)

Disaster Recovery Center Holiday Schedule:

  • The FEMA Disaster Recovery Center will close for Thanksgiving 11/25/21-11/28/21.

Debris Removal

  • To date, more than843,000 Cubic Yards has been collected.
  • The debris contractor will shut down operations from Saturday, November 20th to Sunday November 28th for Thanksgiving. They will resume operations on Monday, November 29th.
  • For questions related to Hurricane debris on state roadways, you can call the DOTD hotline at 800-950-2732.

 

No change from previous update:

SBA

  • The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest disaster loans to non-farm businesses of all sizes, private nonprofits, homeowners and renters who suffered losses caused by Hurricane Ida. Application Deadline is Nov. 29th.

Types of loans available are:

-- Homeowners: up to $200,000 to repair or replace real estate damage and up to $40,000 to replace personal property.

-- Renters: up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property.

-- Businesses - Property Damage: up to $2,000,000 to repair or replace real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other assets that were damaged or destroyed (available to businesses of any size and private, non-profit organizations).

-- Economic Injury: only for small businesses and most private non-profit organizations suffering adverse financial impacts of the disaster (with or without property loss), up to $2,000,000 for working capital to help pay obligations until normal operations resume.

  • For additional assistance, SBA has established a Business Recovery Center on Belle Terre at the River Region Chamber of Commerce that is open Monday-Wednesday. You can also contact an SBA customer service representative via email at FOCWAssistance@sba.gov or by phone at 800-659-2955. You can apply online at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov.

Temporary Housing

  • The State set up the Hurricane Ida Sheltering Program to help assist Hurricane Ida survivors with direct and non-congregate sheltering in areas such as St. John.
  • This program is being run by the State and you must apply for this program separately from FEMA. To do so, please visit idashelteringla.com or call (844) 268-0301.
  • Already registered? Check your status by viewing your registration at IdaShelteringLA.com. If your registration is incomplete, answer all information. Please make sure to complete the following:

Release of Information (ROI),

Right of Entry (ROE); and provide a copy of your government issued identification.

  • If you have any questions, please reach out to a Program Team Member by calling 1-844-268-0301 or 1-844-458-1806 for talk to text (TTY).
  • Residents are encouraged to also apply for FEMA at DisasterAssistance.gov.

Long Term Recovery Group

  • St. John Parish recently activated the Long Term Recovery Group to assist residents with unmet needs due to Hurricane Ida.
  • The Long Term Recovery group consists of government, faith-based, non-profit, state, and federal organizations, and other agencies whose goal is to assist individuals and families as they recover from a disaster.
  • If you are a homeowner and are uninsured, underinsured, or need assistance due to Hurricane Ida, please call the St John Volunteer Reception Center (VRC) at 985-703-8411.  

Elderly Assistance

  • Elderly residents who may need assistance can continue to call our Department of Health & Human Services office at 985-536-4955 during business hours.

Disaster Distress Helpline

  • If you're looking for ways to cope with stress or anxiety, there are free resources available through the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990.

Permits

  • Permit fees for repairs and renovations due to hurricane damage have been waived however a permit may still be needed in some instances.
  • Building permits are not needed for Shingles, Sheetrock, Cabinetry, Flooring, Fencing, Doors, Siding, Trim and Painting.
  • Permits are only needed when structural repairs are made to the framing, roof, or electrical components of the house.
  • If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, please contact the Planning and Zoning Department at 985-651-5565.

Safe Reconnect

  • If you sustained damage to your home or business electrical and/or gas systems and the utility was not able to reconnect service, please contact Planning & Zoning at Email safereconnect@stjohn-la.gov or call 985-651-5565 so someone in this department can work with you on reconnection.

Stay Connected:

  • For text alerts, text SJPWEATHER to 888-77
  • Parish website: sjbparish.gov
  • Parish social media: Facebook, Instagram & Twitter
  • Government Access Channel (15/99)


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