[StBernard] Hurricane Update From Senator David Vitter

[Westley Annis]

E-Update


9.27.05

Hurricane Katrina



IN THIS ISSUE

FEMA BENEFITS
MAIL SERVICE
RED CROSS SHELTER INFORMATION
HELPING OUR FELLOW LOUISIANIANS
FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE

Hurricane Katrina has affected us all - through devastation of homes, loss
of businesses and relocation of families. As the waters recede and portions
of southeast Louisiana reopen to residents, our efforts shift from rescue to
recovery and rebuilding lives.

Many of you helped friends and family get through these past few weeks of
devastation and crisis. I want to thank the communities throughout the state
that have so graciously welcomed their neighbors from southeast Louisiana
for their generous displays of hospitality to those who have lost so much.

We are on a long road to recovery, and Louisiana families will continue to
need all the compassion and support possible. Helping families rebuild their
lives in southeast Louisiana is my top priority. Please let me know how I
can assist you.

Below is some information that I hope will be useful to help you and your
family in the weeks ahead.

/s/ David Vitter

P.S. - Please feel free to forward the newsletter to your friends, neighbors
and business associates.


Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Benefits
1-800-621-FEMA (3362) | TTY: 1-800-462-7585 |http://www.fema.gov

Please be aware that FEMA's phone number may be overloaded with calls, but
keep trying until you get through, as FEMA registration is necessary to be
eligible for many benefits.

Benefits That May Be Available for Individuals and Households from FEMA 

*	Temporary Housing - Homeowners and renters may receive funds to rent
a different place to live or a temporary housing unit when rental properties
are not available.
*	Repair - Homeowners may receive grants to repair damage from the
disaster that is not covered by insurance. The goal is to make the damaged
home safe and sanitary. 
*	Replacement - Under rare conditions, homeowners may receive limited
funds to replace their disaster damaged home. 
*	Other Needs Assistance - Applicants may receive grants for necessary
and serious needs caused by the disaster. This includes medical, dental,
funeral, personal property, transportation, moving and storage, and other
expenses that FEMA approves. 

You should have as much of this information available as you can when you
call

*	The street address of your damaged property. 
*	Your current mailing address and a telephone number where you can be
reached in the event you have been forced to relocate. 
*	Your Social Security Number. 
*	Your household's approximate gross income at the time of the flood
or, if you are reporting business damages, the gross income of the business 
*	Information on the type of insurance coverage you have, particularly
flood insurance. 

FEMA Crisis Counseling

*	The Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP) is
designed to provide supplemental funding to states for short-term crisis
counseling services to people affected in presidentially declared disasters.

*	The immediate services program is intended to enable the state or
local agency to respond to the immediate mental health needs with screening,
diagnostic, and counseling techniques, as well as outreach services such as
public information and community networking. 
*	The regular services program is designed to provide up to nine
months of crisis counseling, community outreach, and consultation and
education services to people affected by a disaster. 
	

Mail Service
1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777) | http://www.usps.com

The Postal Service wants to re-connect displaced and evacuated Hurricane
Katrina victims with their mail.

As it begins to restore mail delivery in areas where it is safe to do so,
the Postal Service is asking customers unable to receive delivery at their
permanent address to file a change of address. Hurricane victims in areas
without telephone service or internet access should go to the nearest post
office, complete a change-of-address form, and submit it to a postal retail
associate at the counter or mail it postage free.

Customers who can should use the Postal Service's Internet or Telephone
Change of Address option. It's quick, convenient, secure, and will start the
process of redirecting mail to your new address within 24 hours. Electronic
change of addresses can be filed online at http://www.usps.com/ or by
calling 1-800-ASK-USPS (1-800-275-8777).


American Red Cross Shelter Information 
1-800-GET-INFO (800-438-4636) | http://www.redcross.org 

The Red Cross is operating temporary shelters in 147 locations in Louisiana
currently, and they have 2,628 volunteers working in Louisiana today. Red
Cross has announced two new programs to help fill the gap in this
extraordinary disaster until FEMA Family Assistance Programs become
available.

Special Transient Accommodations Assistance Program

*	If your primary residence was in a specific designated area affected
by Hurricane Katrina, you may be eligible for assistance from Red Cross for
up to 14 days lodging. 
*	This program is designed for people who have a financial need and
are from a specific area identified by FEMA by zip code. 
*	Contact Red Cross for additional information, or, if you are already
in a hotel, contact your hotel front desk. Information about this program
has been faxed to many hotels/ motels that may be hosting evacuees. 
*	If a shelter is available in the area that you are currently
staying, and they have space available, this program may not be available.

Individual Supporting Assistance Program

*	If you are not in a shelter and have evacuated from the effected
area, you may be eligible for a one-time lump sum payment based on your
family size to help cover food and other living expenses.


Reforming Indian Gambling

At the end of July, I testified before the Senate Committee on Indian
Affairs at an oversight hearing on "Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA)
Exceptions and Off-Reservation Gaming" about the bill I introduced in the
Senate, S. 1260, the Common Sense Indian Gambling Reform Act. 

Amendments to reform the law are needed to discourage the recent trend of
"forum shopping," or "reservation shopping," by Indian tribes - the
troubling practice, on the part of a growing number of tribes, of selecting
lands to which they have little or no connection, for the sole purpose of
building casinos at the most economically advantageous location. My bill
would also give state and local governments additional opportunity to
participate in the casino approval process, by requiring that both a state's
legislature and governor approve any tribal compact. In addition, this bill
requires an economic impact study on a 60-mile radius of the proposed casino
and an environmental impact study before a tribe can use lands for the
purpose of gambling.

When a proposed casino is strongly opposed by a state's governor and the
local community, such opposition should be weighed heavily by federal
officials when making a decision about whether to allow any sort of casino
gambling. It serves neither the local population nor a tribe to have a
casino where it is unwanted and unwelcome.


Promoting Reimportation of Prescription Drugs

On Friday, July 22, I joined other Louisiana officials in New Orleans to try
to convince the presidentially-appointed Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC)
Commission to save the Naval Support Activity base in New Orleans and to
pitch the "Federal City" concept for military and homeland security
operations. It is my strong belief that both NSA and DISA Slidell will play
an important role in the future of the Department of Defense.

The Federal City proposal would offer more savings to the Department of
Defense and improve joint readiness capabilities of NSA New Orleans. It
would be built at no cost to the federal government and would help save $200
million more than the expected BRAC savings and do so at least 18 months
quicker.

Louisiana plays a crucial role in our nation's defense and has a proud
history of military support and involvement. I was grateful for the
opportunity to testify on the merits of Louisiana's bases and to explain the
errors made in the Department of Defense's BRAC recommendation, in which six
of the eight BRAC criteria were incorrectly applied to NSA New Orleans. I'm
hopeful our efforts will allow NSA and DISA to continue the contributions
they make to our national security and to Louisiana's economy.


Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning When Returning Home 

As many people return to homes without power, they may try to use
alternative sources of fuel or electricity for cooling and cooking. Carbon
monoxide from these sources can build up in your home, garage or camper and
poison the people and animals inside. Every year, more than 500 people die
from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.

People in areas with power outages due to Hurricane Katrina, should never
use generators, grills, camp stoves, or other gasoline, propane, natural
gas, or charcoal-burning devices inside your home, garage, or camper-or even
outside near an open window.

People uncomfortable in their homes should look to friends or a community
evacuation center for help. If you must use an alternative source of fuel or
electricity, it should only be used outside and away from open windows. 


Helping Our Fellow Louisianians

For those who want to help out Louisianians directly impacted by the storm,
the recently established Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation, a 501(c)(3)
fund to accept hurricane relief donations, will accept checks at P.O. Box
94095, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9095.

The Red Cross, which relies on the donations of the American people to do
its work, is launching the largest mobilization of resources for a single
natural disaster involving thousands of trained disaster relief workers,
tons of supplies, and support. To donate, you can help by calling
1-800-HELP-NOW (1-800-435-7669) or by making an online contribution to the
Disaster Relief Fund at www.redcross.org. Be sure to write Hurricane Katrina
in the memo section of your check.


Federal Disaster Assistance Available

To read about other federal disaster benefits that you may be eligible for,
such as small business assistance or tax relief, please visit my Web site at
http://vitter.senate.gov/forms/Assistance%20During%20The%20Recovery%20From%2
0Hurricane%20Katrina%20(4).pdf 


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