Nearly three months after Arthur, recovery still underway

By Amy Ducote

Nearly three months after Tropical Storm Arthur flooded homes, damaged roads and schools and disrupted lives across Avoyelles Parish, recovery has shifted from emergency response to the slower work of rebuilding.

For many residents, that work is still far from complete.

Some families remain displaced, schools are preparing for storm-related repairs, damaged infrastructure is still being addressed and local governments continue working through recovery projects.

Newly released federal figures also show that millions of dollars in assistance have been approved or offered to residents, businesses and organizations affected by Arthur.

At Paragon Casino Resort on Sept. 1, several Arthur evacuees gathered their belongings while waiting to learn whether they would be able to remain in temporary lodging.

Some residents told KALB their homes were still not ready because of plumbing problems, unfinished flooring, leaking roofs and delays in finding contractors. The evacuees were later informed that their stay at Paragon had been extended through Sept. 15.

FEMA assistance tops $16.7 million

As of the close of business Sept. 3, 2,154 Avoyelles Parish households had applied for FEMA Individual Assistance, according to information provided by FEMA.

Of those, 1,668 households had been approved for assistance.

FEMA reported a total of $16,757,116.14 in Individual Assistance approved for Avoyelles Parish.

That total includes $10,260,781.81 in housing assistance and home repairs and $5,888,946.03 in Other Needs Assistance.

FEMA also reported that 1,196 households had been approved for a one-time Displacement Assistance payment, while 347 households had been approved for Rental Assistance.

Residents who received FEMA rental assistance but still need help while working toward permanent housing are being encouraged to stay in contact with FEMA.

Continued Temporary Housing Assistance may be available for those who qualify.

FEMA is also reminding applicants to provide homeowners or flood insurance documents and insurance determination letters when they receive them. The agency reviews what insurance has covered before determining what additional assistance FEMA may be able to provide.

FEMA may also provide Home Repair Assistance or reimbursement for the cost of a licensed technician’s professional assessment involving disaster-damaged HVAC systems, wells, furnaces and septic systems.

Avoyelles Parish residents still have time to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance. The deadline for homeowners and renters in designated parishes affected by Arthur is Oct. 1.

Simmesport families receive additional help

In Simmesport, recovery efforts have moved into another phase as families begin replacing furniture and appliances lost during the flooding.

During a recent Town Council meeting, officials reported that more than $500,000 worth of new furniture and appliances was being arranged through Church of Christ disaster-relief efforts.

The town received 77 applications for assistance and had contacted 68 applicants at the time of the meeting.

Orders included 36 washer-and-dryer sets, 15 refrigerators, four stoves, four water heaters, 22 living-room sets, two dining-room sets and 35 primary-bedroom sets, along with children’s furniture and additional mattresses.

The merchandise is expected to arrive in stages and will be stored at the Simmesport fire station until residents are contacted to arrange pickup.

Town officials have also been working with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness in hopes of bringing Eight Days of Hope back to the area to assist residents having difficulty finding contractors, obtaining materials or paying for repairs.

Drainage is also expected to be a major topic at Simmesport’s Sept. 14 Town Council meeting.

Residents are being encouraged to attend and ask what drainage cleanup remains following Arthur and when that work is expected to begin.

The discussion comes as communities move beyond the immediate cleanup and begin looking at whether drainage systems and other infrastructure need additional work before the next major storm.

Public recovery work continues

The federal disaster declaration has also been expanded to provide Public Assistance for Avoyelles Parish.

That program allows eligible local governments and certain nonprofit organizations to seek reimbursement for debris removal, emergency protective measures and permanent repairs to damaged public infrastructure such as roads, bridges, utilities and public buildings.

Updated Public Assistance figures for Avoyelles Parish were still being compiled by FEMA as of Tuesday.

FEMA has also opened a public-comment period concerning recovery work that could affect floodplains, wetlands or historic properties. The comment period runs through Sept. 26.

SBA assistance exceeds $5.6 million

Federal recovery assistance has also included disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Gabriel Perales, public affairs specialist with the SBA, said the agency had received more than 550 disaster applicants overall, with the majority coming from Avoyelles Parish.

Perales said more than $5.6 million has been offered to homeowners, renters, nonprofit organizations and businesses affected by the disaster.

The updated figures represent an increase from numbers reported earlier in the recovery process and show that additional residents and organizations have continued seeking financial assistance.

Residents seeking additional information about SBA disaster assistance may contact Perales at gabriel.perales@sba.gov.

Schools still dealing with storm damage

The Avoyelles Parish School Board is also moving forward with repairs tied directly to Arthur.

In August, the board approved advertising for roof repair or replacement at Riverside Elementary, Avoyelles High School, Plaucheville Elementary and Cottonport Elementary because of damage caused by the storm.

FEMA has also advised that students and teachers whose homes or personal belongings were damaged may qualify for assistance with items including computers, textbooks, school supplies, furniture and appliances.

Damaged bridge still affects Mansura resident

In Mansura, the effects of Arthur were still creating access problems in August.

Town minutes state that a Jackson Road resident was unable to access his home because of storm damage to a bridge. Mayor Kenneth Pickett said the town engineer had been notified and town officials were trying to determine what could be done.

Across the parish, roads and drainage structures have gradually reopened or undergone repairs since June. DOTD records show that a number of storm-period closures in Avoyelles were later reopened, although additional road and drainage work has continued.

The picture of recovery in September is very different from the days immediately after Arthur.

The boats, shelters and emergency supply stations have largely been replaced by contractors, grant paperwork, roof bids, furniture deliveries, drainage discussions and FEMA caseworkers. But the work is not finished.

For residents still waiting to return home, replace what they lost or see damaged infrastructure repaired, Arthur remains part of everyday life — even as Avoyelles Parish moves further into recovery.