Hurricane Relief: How to Recover from Two Back-to-Back Hurricanes
Hurricane season arrives precisely when it wants to every year. Growing up in the Houston Area, I have experienced countless hurricanes. In 2017, Hurricane Harvey claimed everything I owned. But even with that life experience, I’ve never fully understood the process and pain of applying for government assistance (i.e., FEMA) until I filmed these three documentaries on Hurricane Laura and Hurricane Delta aftermath. I talked to strangers, heard their stories of survival, and learned how each individual is different in insurance companies’ and the U.S. government's eyes.
Long story short: You have to fight for your rights after losing your home—right down to the last cent.
Hurricane Laura was a record-breaking Atlantic storm that struck on August 27, 2020, in Cameron, Louisiana. It tied with the Last Island Hurricane of 1856 as the strongest hurricane on record to make landfall in Louisiana.
Ensuing were days of devastation and tragedy for the residents of Cameron and surrounding cities. States such as Texas and Florida were also affected by the broad reach of Hurricane Laura.
On October 6, 2020, Gov. John Bel Edwards declared the State of Emergency as a result of Hurricane Delta. Two days later, on October 8, FEMA responded to the declaration. “FEMA is leaning forward with our federal, state, local and tribal partners to mobilize teams and supplies to support a state-managed, locally executed response to impacts from Hurricane Delta. President Donald J. Trump approved the emergency declaration for all 64 parishes in Louisiana.”-FEMA, 2020
Facts:
1 || Laura - Deadly category 4 took countless homes and 77 lives
2|| Laura - Damage is upwards of $8.9 million, and “Louisiana utility says Hurricane Laura repair costs at $1.4B.”
4 || Delta - FEMA pre-staged over 5 million meals, more than 4 million liters of bottled water, and 45 generators near the common areas of Hurricane Delta impacts.
5 || Delta - FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) planned to cover and reimburse policyholders up to $1,000 for specific actions taken to minimize damage to your home and belongings before flood waters encroached.
Residents fill up their gas tanks as they prepare for Hurricane Laura (pictured).
“After President Trump came in, he said ‘oh, okay. Well, maybe this is a disaster area.’ Then they started bringing in the electrical companies and the National Guard.”
-Brittany Bourriague, Hurricane Laura victim
“Visit the Red Cross Louisiana Facebook page for service site locations.
People affected by Hurricane Laura may be eligible for federal Disaster Assistance.
Apply at disasterassistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362.
In Texas, people can also visit gov.texas.gov/hurricane for a list of resources.” See source here.
Neighborhood or Landfill for Hurricane Debris? They Can't Breathe
“When we spoke to DEQ, what they said was that since it was a natural disaster, a lot of the rules and regulations don’t apply. So evidently our health doesn’t apply.”
-Mike Johnson, Hurricane Laura/Delta victim
How to apply for FEMA assistance:
State of LA hurricane updates: https://hurricanelaura.la.gov/
Hurricane Laura FEMA aid, “21 parishes now approved” https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4559
Hurricane Delta FEMA aid “10 parishes now approved” https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4570
“Louisiana Residents Affected by Hurricane Delta Can Apply for Federal Disaster Assistance”
“Hurricanes Laura and Delta survivors: What to know before building or repairing”
Families will be rebuilding for the next 6 to 12 months.
It is currently December 2020, and the city is still trying to organize the trash and where it needs to go. Without figuring out a more concrete solution, Mayor Nic Hunter allows temporary landfills in the middle of neighborhoods. Debris particles fill the air while people try to rebuild their homes from the ground up. Natural disasters cannot be stopped, but how the system responds should only be improving over the years, not get worse.
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