WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) issued the following statement and an update on disaster recovery efforts for South Louisiana. Over $3.4 billion in federal disaster relief has been delivered to Louisiana in response to Hurricanes Laura and Delta.
“I was on the ground in Lake Charles immediately after Hurricane Laura’s landfall, and we have not stopped working on the recovery mission since. Less than one day after Laura hit, we worked with President Trump to secure a major disaster declaration and unlock federal funding for immediate response efforts. After months of constant advocacy with the White House and Congressional leadership, we secured support and passed long-term recovery resources through Congress. We have delivered over $3.4 billion in response to Hurricanes Laura and Delta. And we continue to work with FEMA and our state and local partners to expedite processing for outstanding Public Assistance applications.”
Below is a funding breakdown and a timeline of Congressman Higgins’ actions on hurricane recovery. The information is also available online here.
Hurricane Laura:
- FEMA Individual Assistance – $242.5 million to over 76,000 households
- FEMA Public Assistance – $1.27 billion
- National Flood Insurance Program – $48 million
- Small Business Administration – $613.4 million to over 10,000 individuals and businesses
Hurricane Delta:
- FEMA Individual Assistance – $46.8 million to over 11,500 households
- FEMA Public Assistance – $88.4 million
- National Flood Insurance Program – $72 million
- Small Business Administration – $50.9 million to over 1,200 individuals and businesses
Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Program:
- $1.06 billion for Hurricanes Laura and Delta
- $10.8 million to the City of Lake Charles
Timeline of Efforts:
- August 24, 2020 – Participated in regular planning calls with FEMA, the National Hurricane Center, and the American Red Cross
- August 25, 2020 – Warned the State of Louisiana that the lack of local community shelters due to COVID restrictions would put our most vulnerable citizens at risk and create delays in the recovery process
- August 26, 2020 – Positioned staff at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Calcasieu Parish ahead of Hurricane Laura’s landfall
- August 27, 2020 – Visited Southwest Louisiana to assess damages after Hurricane Laura made landfall.
- August 28, 2020 – Flew in senior D.C. staff to assist with cleanup and disaster response efforts
- August 28, 2020 – Launched an online resource page with emergency contacts and recovery information for Louisiana citizens
- August 28, 2020 – Led the Louisiana Delegation in requesting a Major Disaster Declaration from President Trump
- August 28, 2020 – Conducted an aerial tour of damages with the U.S. Coast Guard and House Republican Whip Steve Scalise
- August 28, 2020 – Announced that President Trump had approved Louisiana’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration
- August 28, 2020 – Began working with non-profit and charitable organizations to deliver fuel, generators, clothing, water, etc.
- August 29, 2020 – Met with President Trump and state and local officials to discuss response efforts
- August 30, 2020 – Called on Governor Edwards to waive COVID restrictions and open community shelters
- August 31, 2020 – Announced that President Trump had expanded Louisiana’s Major Disaster Declaration to include additional parishes
- August 31, 2020 – Announced that Operation Blue Roof would commence
- September 4, 2020 – Called on Governor Edwards and Secretary of State Ardoin to finalize an emergency election plan to help those displaced by Hurricane Laura
- September 4, 2020 – Met with senior DHS officials and participated in supply distribution efforts in Calcasieu Parish
- September 7, 2020 – Set up a mobile command center to replace our Lake Charles office, which was destroyed in Hurricane Laura
- September 8, 2020 – Requested an increase in the federal cost-share from FEMA and President Trump
- September 15, 2020 – Addressed the U.S. House of Representatives and called for increased assistance in response to Hurricane Laura
- September 15, 2020 – Spoke with reporters from CNN to raise awareness of Southwest Louisiana’s recovery needs
- September 16, 2020 – Spoke with reporters from Fox News to raise awareness of Southwest Louisiana’s recovery needs
- September 21, 2020 – Announced that the Louisiana Delegation was pushing for a 100% federal cost-share through FEMA
- September 25, 2020 – Spoke with reporters from BuzzFeed News to discuss Southwest Louisiana’s housing needs
- October 8, 2020 – Met with U.S. Secretary of Housing & Urban Development Ben Carson to discuss hurricane recovery efforts
- October 9, 2020 – Co-led a Louisiana Delegation request to increase FEMA assistance ahead of Hurricane Delta
- October 10, 2020 – Spoke with Fox News to discuss Hurricane Delta and ongoing recovery efforts
- October 10, 2020 – Visited Vermilion Parish to assess damages from Hurricane Delta
- October 11, 2020 – Staff participated in water, ice, and supply distribution efforts in Acadia Parish
- October 11, 2020 – Staff began visiting every public housing facility in Calcasieu Parish to offer assistance
- October 12, 2020 – Offered federal assistance securing supplemental mosquito abatement spraying
- October 12, 2020 – Met with FEMA Administrator Gaynor on hurricane recovery efforts
- October 13, 2020 – Participated in food and supply distribution efforts in Cameron Parish
- October 14, 2020 – Urged President Trump to approve Louisiana’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration in response to Hurricane Delta
- October 16, 2020 – Joined Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin and local officials in Lake Charles to announce hurricane-related changes to 2020 election plans
- October 16, 2020 – Met with officials at the Port of Lake Charles to discuss hurricane-related navigation closures on the Ship Channel
- October 17, 2020 – Announced that President Trump approved Louisiana’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration in response to Hurricane Delta
- October 20, 2020 – Announced that supplemental mosquito spraying efforts would commence across South Louisiana
- October 22, 2020 – Met with U.S. Coast Guard command regarding future hurricane preparations
- October 26, 2020 – Hosted a telephone town hall meeting to assist constituents with hurricane recovery
- October 27, 2020 – Introduced legislation recognizing utility linemen as First Responders
- October 28, 2020 – Led an effort with Senator Kennedy to request an extension to apply for Hurricane Laura SBA Assistance
- October 29, 2020 – Called on FEMA to expedite the installation of temporary housing units
- October 30, 2020 – Announced a 100% federal cost-share for 30 days had been approved for Hurricane Laura Public Assistance
- November 2, 2020 – Visited and observed the salvage operation to clear debris from the Calcasieu Ship Channel
- December 9, 2020 – Joined the Louisiana Delegation on an official letter calling for long-term recovery resources and supplemental disaster appropriations
- December 11, 2020 – Met with FEMA officials to discuss the need to expedite the deployment of Temporary Housing Units
- December 18, 2020 – Met with FEMA to discuss reimbursement costs for Calcasieu Parish
- December 20, 2020 – Helped pass the STORM Act to expand federal disaster mitigation programs
- January 5, 2021 – Held a telephone town hall in which hurricane recovery efforts were discussed
- January 21, 2021 – Announced over $50 million for debris removal operations in Calcasieu Parish
- February 23, 2021 – Announced increased federal assistance and a 90% federal cost-share for Hurricane Laura recovery efforts
- February 26, 2021 – Introduced disaster recovery amendments to the budget reconciliation package that would have set aside funding for communities hit by a disaster in 2020
- February 26, 2021 – Announced over $33 million for debris removal and utility repairs in Calcasieu and Jeff Davis parishes
- March 17, 2021 – Announced over $22 million for debris removal, utility repairs, and flood mitigation in Calcasieu, Jeff Davis, and Vermilion parishes
- April 1, 2021 – Spoke with the American Press Editorial Board to provide an update on recovery efforts at the federal level
- April 5, 2021 – Staff met with FEMA representatives regarding the status of temporary housing efforts
- April 15, 2021 – Delivered an official letter to Speaker Pelosi calling for a supplemental disaster relief plan providing long-term recovery resources for Southwest Louisiana
- April 16, 2021 – Announced $1.7 million for debris clearance in Calcasieu Parish
- April 18, 2021 – Published an op-ed in the American Press to provide an update on long-term recovery efforts
- April 19, 2021 – Requested robust funding for FEMA programs in FY22 appropriations, including Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Individuals & Households Program Assistance (IHP), Crisis Counseling Assistance & Training Program, Mass Care & Emergency Assistance, Disaster Case Management, and Disaster Legal Services.
- April 20, 2021 – Held a telephone town hall in which hurricane recovery efforts were discussed.
- April 21, 2021 – Announced $21 million for debris removal in Lake Charles
- April 28, 2021 – Requested robust funding for the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program and the Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program within FY22 appropriations
- May 6, 2021 – Delivered another official letter to the Biden White House, outlining LA-03 infrastructure priorities, including long-term recovery needs
- May 18, 2021 – Again urged President Bident to issue a supplemental disaster request following a major rain flooding event in South Louisiana.
- May 18, 2021 – Announced an additional $22.5 million for utility repairs, debris removal operations, and emergency protective measures in Lafayette, Vermilion, and Jeff Davis parishes
- May 19, 2021 – Spoke on the House floor calling for additional long-term hurricane recovery resources and urging the Biden administration to issue a supplemental disaster request to Congress
- May 26, 2021 – Announced an additional $3.4 million in recovery funding for the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury
- May 29, 2021 – Urged President Biden to approve Louisiana’s request for a major disaster declaration in response to recent floods and again pushed him to issue a supplemental disaster request to Congress
- June 2, 2021 – Louisiana’s request for a major disaster declaration in response to severe weather and flooding was approved by President Biden
- June 4, 2021 – Notified local officials and encouraged them to fully utilize disaster mitigation grant opportunities
- June 9, 2021 – Announced an additional $46 million to the City of Lake Charles for debris removal operations
- June 16, 2021 – Announced an additional $41.5 million for debris removal operations and emergency protective measures in Jeff Davis Parish and for Louisiana State Agencies
- June 23, 2021 – Cosponsored the Rebuilding Communities After Disasters Act, which improves access and increases SBA disaster loan assistance
- June 23, 2021 – Introduced legislation to protect Louisianans from insurance fraud after flooding
- June 29, 2021 – Questioned the FEMA Administrator on disaster recovery efforts and asked her to push Louisiana’s request for supplemental disaster assistance with President Biden
- July 9, 2021 – Announced an additional $56.7 million for the non-congregate shelter program after Hurricane Laura
- July 15, 2021 – Staff met with the Mayors of Lake Charles and Lafayette to discuss hurricane recovery efforts and infrastructure needs
- July 16, 2021 – Delivered another official letter to President Biden and Speaker Pelosi calling on them to support supplemental disaster relief for Southwest Louisiana
- July 21, 2021 – Delivered a Louisiana congressional delegation letter to the Office of Management and Budget calling for supplemental disaster relief
- August 11, 2021 – Called on FEMA to expedite the review and approval of Calcasieu Parish School Board’s Public Assistance applications
- August 12, 2021 – Again called on President Biden to issue a formal request for supplemental disaster funding
- August 12, 2021 – Notified local officials of disaster mitigation grant funding and asked President Biden to prioritize applicants affected by Hurricanes Laura and Delta
- August 18, 2021 – Announced an additional $15 million for debris removal operations and emergency protective measures in Vermilion Parish, and for the Calcasieu Parish School Board and Louisiana State Police
- August 27, 2021 – Again called on President Biden to issue a formal request for supplemental disaster funding and to ease access to existing resources
- August 27, 2021 – Joined the Louisiana Delegation in requesting an emergency declaration ahead of Hurricane Ida
- August 29, 2021 – Joined the Louisiana Delegation in requesting a major disaster declaration as a result of Hurricane Ida
- August 29, 2021 – Announced the White House approved Louisiana’s request for a major disaster declaration in response to Hurricane Ida
- August 31, 2021 – Again stressed the need for supplemental disaster relief in response to Hurricanes Laura and Delta
- September 1, 2021 – Spoke with Newsmax T.V. to discuss Hurricane Ida damages and ongoing recovery from Hurricanes Laura and Delta
- September 1, 2021 – Joined the U.S. Coast Guard to assess hurricane damages across South Louisiana
- September 2, 2021 – Joined the Louisiana Delegation in calling for supplemental disaster relief in response to Hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Ida
- September 2, 2021 – Announced an additional $75 million to Lafayette City-Parish Government, the Port of Iberia, LADOTD, the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, City of Lake Charles, Hamilton Christian Academy, and the Louisiana Office of Emergency Preparedness for debris removal, emergency protective measures, road repairs, and management costs
- September 3, 2021 – Met with the Lake Charles Mayor and United Way officials to discuss ongoing recovery and volunteer operations
- September 4, 2021 – Joined Louisiana’s House Delegation calling on FEMA to expand eligibility for the Blue Roof program
- September 7, 2021 – Announced that the White House budget office issued a formal request to Congress for supplemental disaster relief in response to Hurricanes Laura and Delta
- September 17, 2021 – Pressed FEMA to expedite inspections, review, and approval of Cameron Parish’s Public Assistance applications in response to Hurricanes Laura and Delta
- September 29, 2021 – Announced an additional $12 million for debris removal operations and emergency protective measures in Cameron Parish, and for SLEMCO and the Louisiana State Police
- September 30, 2021 – Voted to pass supplemental disaster funding in response to Hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Ida
- October 5, 2021 – Addressed ongoing recovery and response issues with the FEMA Administrator and secured her commitment to personally review Southwest Louisiana’s outstanding Public Assistance applications
- October 5, 2021 – Delivered a follow-up letter to FEMA Administrator Criswell asking her to personally expedite outstanding Public Assistance applications
- October 7, 2021 – Announced an additional $112 million to Calcasieu Parish Schools for hurricane recovery efforts
- October 13, 2021 – Announced an additional $35.8 million to Cameron Parish, Jeff Davis Electric Co-op, LADOTD, and the Louisiana Office of Risk Management for debris removal and emergency protective measures
- October 14, 2021 – Announced an additional $4.5 million to the City of Lake Charles and SLEMCO for emergency protective measures and utility distribution repairs
- October 25, 2021 – Delivered a letter to President Biden urging additional support for South Louisiana’s recovery through HUD’s rulemaking process
- October 26, 2021 – Announced $595 million in CDBG funding in HUD’s first allocation from the supplemental disaster relief bill
- October 28, 2021 – Announced an additional $5.3 million to SLEMCO for grid and utility restoration after Hurricane Delta
- November 10, 2021 – Announced an additional $5.3 million from HUD to help with unmet housing needs in Lake Charles as a result of Hurricanes Laura and Delta
- November 23, 2021 – Delivered several letters of support for the City of Lake Charles’ grant applications for federal recovery resources
- November 29, 2021 – Announced an additional $27.5 million to the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury and City of DeQuincy for debris removal operations
- December 6, 2021 – Announced an additional $3.5 million to SLEMCO for grid and utility repairs in response to Hurricane Laura
- December 8, 2021 – Announced an additional $63.5 million to the Jeff Davis Electric Co-op, City of Lake Charles, LADOTD, Diocese of Lake Charles, Calcasieu Parish School Board, and Lafayette City-Parish Government for utility repairs, sheltering services, debris removal, management costs, and emergency protective measures
- December 16, 2021 – Announced an additional $1.6 million to Lafayette City-Parish Government for emergency protective measures in response to Hurricane Delta
- December 20, 2021 – Announced $7.4 million to the Port of Lake Charles for facility repairs in response to Hurricane Laura
- January 18, 2022 – Announced $5.7 million to the City of Westlake for debris removal operations in response to Hurricane Laura
- January 21, 2022 – Announced an additional $1.3 million to the Acadia Parish Police Jury for debris removal operations
- February 1, 2022 – Announced a $5.2 million upward revision in CDBG disaster recovery funding from HUD
- February 3, 2022 – Announced an additional $9.7 million to Calcasieu Parish, the Diocese of Lake Charles, McNeese State University, and water control structure in SWLA for permanent repairs and emergency protective measures
- February 4, 2022 – Announced an additional $118 million to the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury for debris removal operations to clear drainage laterals after Hurricane Laura
- February 22, 2022 – Announced an additional $9.2 million to the Jeff Davis Electric Co-op, Cameron Parish, Town of Vinton, and City of Lake Charles for debris removal operations, permanent repairs, and emergency protective measures
- February 23, 2022 – Higgins, Louisiana delegation push for Additional Hurricane Relief from Laura, Delta, Zeta, and Ida
- March 2, 2022 – Announced an additional $5.5 million to the Jeff Davis Electric Co-op and Lake Charles Memorial Hospital for management costs and emergency protective measures
- March 7, 2022 – Delivered a follow-up letter to House and Senate appropriators calling for additional hurricane relief in an upcoming omnibus
- March 9, 2022 – Voted against a $1.5 trillion omnibus spending bill that failed to include additional disaster relief for Louisiana
- March 10, 2022 – Urged President Biden, FEMA, HUD, and OMB to expedite delivery of $3 billion in long-term recovery resources already appropriated by Congress
- March 15, 2022 – Announced an additional $7.1 million to the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury for emergency protective measures in response to Hurricane Laura
- March 21, 2022 – Hand-delivered a letter to Vice President Harris outlining continued recovery needs and priorities for Louisiana’s 3rd District
- March 22, 2022 – Announced an additional $1.7 billion in long-term recovery resources through HUD’s Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery program
- March 25, 2022 – Delivered a letter urging FEMA to waive rent payments for survivors of Hurricanes Laura and Delta who are utilizing the direct housing program
- March 31, 2022 – Announced an additional $6.1 million for water control structure in SWLA, the Louisiana National Guard, and the Town of Iowa for debris removal operations, permanent repair work, and emergency protective measures
- April 8, 2022 – Announced an additional $26.1 million to the City of Lake Charles, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, Town of Welsh, LADOTD, and Louisiana Department of Ag and Forestry for debris removal, electrical repairs, and emergency protective measures
- May 12, 2022 – Announced an additional $74 million to the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, Port of Lake Charles, City of Sulphur, and Chennault International Airport for debris removal, permanent repairs, and emergency protective measures
- May 16, 2022 – Announced an additional $4.5 million for emergency protective measures at Lake Charles Memorial, the Louisiana State Police, and the City of Lake Charles
- June 3, 2022 – Announced an additional $17.6 million to LADOTD, Cameron Parish, and the Southwest Louisiana Hospital Association for emergency protective measures, debris removal, and management costs in response to Hurricane Laura and the Severe Winter Storm
- June 10, 2022 – Met with FEMA Administrator Criswell to discuss outstanding Public Assistance applications for the Calcasieu Parish School Board, Cameron Parish School Board, Diocese of Lake Charles, and the Lake Charles Housing Authority
- June 17, 2022 – Announced an additional $24 million to the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, LADOTD, the Town of Iowa, Jeff Davis Electric Co-op, and Cameron Parish for emergency protective measures, utility and infrastructure repairs, and management costs in response to Hurricane Laura
- June 21, 2022 – Announced an additional $1.9 million to the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury for emergency protective measures in response to Hurricane Laura
- June 27, 2022 – Announced an additional $6.4 million for debris removal operations in the City of Sulphur in response to Hurricane Laura
- July 7, 2022 – Announced an additional $2.9 million to the Calcasieu Parish School Board for permanent facility repairs in response to Hurricane Laura
- July 19, 2022 – Announced an additional $12.8 million to SLEMCO, the Calcasieu Parish School Board, Lord’s Outreach Ministries, and the Louisiana Department of Ag and Forestry for emergency protective measures, permanent repairs, and utility restoration in response to Hurricanes Laura and Delta
