[StBernard] St. Bernard Parish receives hurricane protection-related funds

[Westley Annis]

St. Bernard Parish receives hurricane protection-related funds

Published: Friday, August 24, 2012, 11:57 AM     Updated: Friday, August 24,
2012, 12:01 PM

  By Benjamin Alexander-Bloch, The Times-Picayune 

St. Bernard Parish President Dave Peralta has acquired $642,105 in
additional funds to design and construct hurricane-safe operation rooms
adjacent to Lake Borgne pumping stations, purchase technology to remotely
control the pumps, and to educate the public on the risks of living behind
levees and flood control structures. The state Hazard Mitigation Grant
Program funds are for Lake Borgne Basin Levee District and the Southeast
Louisiana Flood Protection Authority - East projects approved by the
Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and the
Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The Lake Borgne pumping stations project brings in $517,105, on top of
$650,000 already dedicated for the project, to design and construction of
three "saferooms" near the pumping stations that can withstand 210 mph
winds. The standalone structures will provide both protection and
operational capabilities. Additionally, a "telemetry system" will allow
personnel to remotely control pump operations.

Another project will add $125,000.00 to the existing $150,000 in Community
Education and Outreach funds to help inform the public about the risks of
living behind levees and flood control structures.

For questions on the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program projects, contact the
administration's hazard mitigation advisor Michael Hunnicutt at 504.278.4223
or mhunnicutt at sbpg.net.