PARTNERSHIPS INDIVIDUALS & FAMILIES (continued from inside) For the Housing Authority of New Orleans alone, FEMA funded around $26 million in emergency protective measures to safeguard the public before, during and following the storms. HANO, with approximately $70 million from FEMA and additional funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, has taken advantage of urban design principals and utilized a holistic approach to revitalizing more than 7,900 of its hurricane-damaged units. In doing so, HANO consolidated many of its affordable housing units, redeveloping larger properties—as seen at its Guste II housing project—versus rebuilding damaged units at their original, smaller site properties. FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program focuses on rebuilding housing higher and stronger than before, providing the funding and tools neces- sary to withstand future storms. HMGP grants implement long-term solutions for preparedness and protection against property damage and loss of life. Following hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Louisiana was deemed eligible for $1.47 billion in HMGP funding. So far, 420 projects have been approved for a total of $873.2 million in obligated HMGP funding. INFRASTRUCTURE (continued from inside) Within the last year in New Orleans, the Regional Transit Authority purchased 91 new buses of various sizes to replace their Katrina-damaged bus fleet. With more than $45 million in FEMA funding, New Orleans’ public transportation system is once again supporting locals’ travel needs. Similarly, roads in southeastern Louisiana are getting “facelifts.” In St. Bernard Parish, “Roadwork Underway” signs can be found throughout many neighborhoods, with more than $169 million in FEMA funding restoring their storm-damaged streets. Back in New Orleans, residents can also expect smoother travels soon, with more than $88.4 million in FEMA grants already obligated for the city’s roadway restoration project. Major public parks in both these communities are thriving. New Orleans City Park has benefited from more than $19.9 million in FEMA aid, used to restore the park’s antique car ride, Tad Gormley Stadium, administration building, Great Lawn and Popp’s Fountain Pavilion, among other things. In St. Bernard, construction of the 33-acre Val Riess Park facility is well underway, with Phase I facilities already open and completion anticipated in late 2011. For Val Riess, FEMA approved the consolidation of 31-prestorm facilities and is funding approximately $12 million for its construction. Over the past six years, recovery momentum has built across Louisiana—from western parishes such as Cameron to those directly surrounding the city of New Orleans, including St. Bernard, Plaquemines, Jefferson and St. Tammany parishes. Now, as we pause to reflect upon Katrina and Rita’s landfalls, six years of recovery has led to recognizable accomplishments across six noteworthy sectors. These sector highlights, shared throughout this brochure, include individuals and families, education and learning, health care, public safety, infrastructure and lastly partnerships—all of which run the gamut of FEMA’s mission to support Louisiana’s full restoration. As you turn this page and take a closer look at these six sectors, you’ll read highlights of noteworthy projects throughout the various communities mentioned above, along with other post-Katrina accomplishments—each contributing to Louisiana’s unprecedented and inspiring recovery. Kicking-off Louisiana’s “Six Years of Upward Momentum” story, New Orleans’ mayor comments on what the opening of four new public pools means for local children. “The opening of four new pools this summer represents new and improved opportunities for our kids,” said New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu. “Our improved partnership with FEMA has helped fast-track these projects so that there are more summer opportunities for kids in every part of New Orleans. Now, more kids can learn how to swim. We have a partnership with the American Red Cross this summer that raises the bar on the type of programming we are offering our kids.” The Federal Emergency Management Agency has provided more than $1.8 million in public assistance grants for the return of 12 public pools throughout New Orleans, including 2011’s four newly opened pools—Sam Bonart, Joe Brown, A.L. Davis and Taylor. New Orleans’ recovery momentum is also evident in the city’s public education system, where local children are benefiting from FEMA’s single settlement project with the Recovery School District and Orleans Parish School Board. Last year’s single settlement agreement essentially allowed New Orleans schools to be rebuilt and funded based on community and repopulation needs. In total, FEMA provided a lump sum of $1.8 billion for the construction of 88 state-of-the-art campuses throughout New Orleans. Within the sixth year of recovery, many groundbreaking ceremonies have already occurred, kicking off the construction of seven new elementary schools—Mildred Osborne, Jean Baptiste de Bienville, William Frantz, Carter G. Woodson, Fannie C. Williams, Parkview and Lawrence D. Crocker elementaries. Louisiana’s Post-Katrina Recovery Six Years of Upward Momentum Celebrating recovery in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu and FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Russell participate in Salmen High School’s 2010 dedication event. Irish delegates visit the FEMA LRO to learn more about recovery efforts. FEMA aid supports reopening of New Orleans City Park’s sculptures. St. Bernard Parish snapshots: School Board Superintendent Voitier, Chalmette High Cultural Arts Theatre, Parish President Taffaro and Val Riess Park. Over this past decade, FEMA has assisted 1,173 U.S. disasters with more than $40.5 billion in public assistance grants. Two disasters—hurricanes Katrina and Rita—are responsible for nearly 27 percent, or $10.8 billion, of this funding…and this is only for damages in Louisiana. Given the magnitude of destruction and the unprecedented recovery work that has resulted, effective communications between all stakeholders remains a key factor in Louisiana’s successful recovery. FEMA’s partner- ship with federal, state and local officials, as well as communication with other external parties, continues to help move this state’s rebuilding efforts forward in a transparent and expedited manner. Just this past December, FEMA and the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness opened a joint Disaster Recovery Facility in Baton Rouge. This office was created to further enable “side-by-side” efforts with the goal of Louisiana’s full recovery in mind. With each milestone, FEMA recognizes the importance of continued education for staff and partners. As a result, FEMA has retained a training office in Louisiana so that all parties—federal, state and local—have the necessary tools to be involved in the agency’s Public Assistance Program. To promote additional collaboration, FEMA recently created shared databases with GOHSEP, as well as an interactive public assistance Web site, both of which significantly enhance coordination and information sharing to expedite Louisiana’s recovery process. In support of such efforts, FEMA’s External Affairs Department works daily to communicate FEMA’s mission and programs through outreach efforts and the creation and sharing of a variety of informational products. By doing so, FEMA EA staffers have established valuable, joint relation- ships with many external partners—including government officials, media and international delegations interested in learning about Louisiana’s unparalleled recovery. Within 2011 alone, FEMA hosted foreign delegates from Africa, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands and Pakistan. As Louisiana’s recovery continues to progress, FEMA’s own communica- tion efforts will do the same by building upon best practices and instituting new measures necessary to best serve Louisiana. FEMA recovery partners: New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu (top right), Louisiana GOHSEP Deputy Director Mark DeBosier (top left) and Cameron Parish Administrator Tina Horn (bottom) All data as of June 17, 2011. INDIVIDUALS & FAMILIES More often than not, a disaster’s greatest toll is on the people—those whose lives are suddenly and without choice, altered forever. After hurricanes Katrina and Rita, hundreds of thousands of Louisiana residents needed help rebuilding their lives from the ground up. FEMA’s Individual Assistance section provided a multitude of assistance, including $5.8 billion in Individuals and Households Program grants to 915,884 individuals and families statewide. This aid greatly impacted Louisianians by providing them housing assistance for rent, repairs and replacement housing, as well as other needs assistance for such things as furniture, clothing and replacement vehicles. To combat the largest housing shortage ever seen in FEMA’s existence, the agency placed more than 92,000 households in travel trailers, park models and mobile homes across Louisiana. Units were located on private properties, at industrial sites, in commercial mobile home parks and across 111 FEMA built and maintained group sites throughout Louisiana. FEMA’s staff and their state and local partners worked relentlessly to accomplish this monumental housing recovery mission, helping nearly all of the 92,000 households move on to more permanent housing. Meanwhile, FEMA’s Public Assistance Program has supported local governments’ with approximately $188 million for temporary housing costs incurred by essential police, fire, education and utilities personnel. After Katrina, Louisiana’s public housing authorities were faced with the task of demolishing buildings declared immediate threats to public health and safety and removing disaster-related debris from housing authority locations. (continued on back) EDUCATION & LEARNING Learning facilities are cornerstones of communities, offering people— regardless of age—environments to develop individually, as well as grow collectively. Such facilities are vital for flourishing communities. In support of helping Louisiana rebuild her Katrina-damaged education sector, approximately $4 billion in FEMA public assistance funding has been provided to restore thousands of primary through higher education school buildings and other key educational facilities, such as libraries and museums, throughout the state. In St. Bernard Parish, the Los Isleños Museum Complex preserves the culture and traditions of Canary Islanders who immigrated to Louisiana in the late 1700s. The museum grounds feature the nearly 200-year-old Ducros Library as well other structures moved to the site to recreate the feel of an early Isleños community. FEMA obligated nearly $2.2 million toward restoring this historical gem for future generations to enjoy. Likewise, in Vernon Parish, the Museum of West Louisiana exhibits items illustrative of west central Louisiana’s culture and history. The museum serves another role in safeguarding past resources, for it is located in the 1916 KCS Railway Depot, which is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. To date, FEMA has funded nearly $250,000 to Vernon Parish to complete repair work after Hurricane Rita damaged the facility. Meanwhile, Cameron Parish has been rebuilding libraries destroyed by Hurricane Rita. In March, the parish held a grand opening for the Johnson Bayou branch and in May broke ground on the Grand Chenier branch. PUBLIC SAFETY As former residents continue to return to their pre-Katrina communities, state and local governments must ensure their safety through the normal operations of key public facilities. Many parishes within the Greater New Orleans area have made great strides in repairing or rebuilding their police and fire departments, as well as many judicial and correctional facilities. Recovery work on 254 public safety facilities is now complete, and buildings are in use throughout Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes. Additionally, 39 more facilities are under construction, and others are in design and planning stages. Approximately $842.2 million in FEMA public assistance grants supported this significant recovery work focused on safeguarding Louisianians. Within St. Bernard Parish, this past year brought many accomplishments such as the openings of Fire Stations No. 5 and No. 6. Likewise, Jefferson Parish used $2.9 million in FEMA aid to rebuild a mitigated Grand Isle main fire station, which stands 16 feet higher than before. Meanwhile, Plaquemines Parish’s communications towers—essential for emergency services that rely on parishwide radio transmissions—are restored and operating again with nearly $2.2 million in FEMA assistance. In New Orleans, the Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff’s Office is rebuilding a comprehensive prison facility by consolidating the Katrina-damaged Templeman 3 and 4 inmate housing buildings and in-take processing center. To support OPCSO’s recovery efforts, FEMA has provided $223 million in funding for work necessary to restore their various facilities. INFRASTRUCTURE HEALTH CARE of the state of Louisiana’s recovery from hurricanes Katrina and Rita, FEMA has provided more than $17.5 billion in individual, public and hazard mitigation assistance over the past six years. As recovery momentum continues to grow throughout New Orleans and surrounding communities, we’ll stay steadfast in our resolve to best aid the great state and people of Louisiana. Joseph Threat Acting Executive Director FEMA Louisiana Recovery Office New Grand Isle fire trucks accompany new post-Katrina station. New Orleans’ Regional Transit Authority is moving forward post -Katrina. State hospital in downtown New Orleans serves southeast Louisiana. St. Bernard Parish and FEMA celebrate opening of Fire Station No. 6. Providing assistance to individuals and families affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita has always been at the heart of FEMA’s local recovery efforts. PLEASE VISIT FEMA’S 6TH YEAR COMMEMORATION WEB SITE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON LOUISIANA’S RECOVERY: WWW.FEMA.GOV/LA6YEAR IN SUPPORT Hurricanes Katrina and Rita destroyed fundamental structures commu- nities need for their basic daily operations. FEMA has provided more than $1.2 billion to restore Louisiana’s roads, transportation systems, sewerage and water facilities and other key community infrastructure, such as parks and recreational facilities. While necessary to sustain communities, many of these assets also improve and return normalcy to residents’ quality of life. (continued on back) Health care facilities operate to keep people alive and healthy. Through nearly $900 million in recovery grants to hospitals, clinics and nursing homes, FEMA has worked to resuscitate this important public sector within Louisiana. These funds continue to enable the return of critical services and facilities within Louisiana’s communities. For example, FEMA has provided approximately $101 million for the Louisiana State University Health Care Services Division Interim Hospital, which currently serves as the only level 1 trauma center in southeastern Louisiana. In addition, FEMA has funded more than $580 million to Louisiana’s Office of Facility Planning and Control for recovery-related work throughout its various health care facilities. One of these, Ochsner Health Center located in Algiers, celebrated its grand opening this year. Many other crucial medical facilities, such as blood banks and nursing homes, have too received FEMA aid. For instance, FEMA has provided the Blood Center nonprofit $5.4 million to replace their Katrina-damaged facility, and $14.4 million was given to Lafon Nursing Home to replace and elevate its facility. Tony Russell Regional Administrator FEMA Region 6