Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) has announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved more than $326 million in funding for over 40 hurricane recovery projects across Louisiana’s 3rd District. The funds are intended to reimburse local governments and non-profit organizations for damages from Hurricanes Laura, Zeta, Ida, and Francine. This allocation adds to the more than $5 billion previously provided for recovery efforts in the region.
“I appreciate Secretary Noem’s assistance in signing off on these reimbursements that will provide federal support to storm-ravaged areas of Louisiana. My office will continue to work with her to improve the disaster recovery process and deliver necessary resources,” Rep. Higgins said.
Rep. Higgins explained that much of the congressional work related to advancing recovery projects happens behind the scenes and involves ongoing coordination with FEMA as well as state and local stakeholders. He stated that finalizing funding is a result of these efforts over many months. All funds will be delivered to the State of Louisiana, which is responsible for distributing them to sub-recipients.
The new round of funding covers a range of projects in several parishes:
– In Acadia Parish, nearly $2.9 million will go toward debris removal.
– Calcasieu Parish will receive multiple grants, including almost $2.9 million for McNeese State University repairs and over $7.8 million for repairs at various state facilities.
– Cameron Parish is set to receive over $7.8 million for building replacement at South Cameron Memorial Hospital and more than $7.2 million for road and bridge repairs at Rockefeller Refuge.
– Terrebonne Parish will benefit from significant allocations such as more than $16 million for Lacache Middle School repairs and over $9 million for floodgate work on the Houma Navigation Canal.
– Lafourche Parish is allocated more than $75 million for barrier island restoration projects within the Terrebonne Basin system.
– St. Mary Parish receives over $1 million each for electrical substation repairs and emergency protective measures at Central Catholic School Campus.
– Electric cooperatives serving multiple parishes are granted substantial amounts, including nearly $38 million for power distribution line repairs by the South Louisiana Electric Cooperative Association.
Clay Higgins has represented Louisiana’s 3rd District in Congress since 2017 after succeeding Charles Boustany [source]. Prior to his congressional service, he was a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives [source]. Born in New Orleans in 1961, Higgins currently resides in Lafayette [source].
