FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Sept. 4, 2021

For Media Inquiries Only
communications@nola.gov
(504) 658-4945

City of New Orleans Provides Residents with Updates on Disaster Recovery Assistance and Available City Resources

NEW ORLEANS —  The City of New Orleans continues to update residents on Hurricane Ida response and recovery efforts. City agencies and public safety officials continue to assess damages sustained during the storm. Mayor LaToya Cantrell and other City officials have prioritized restoring residential services by moving resources to neighborhoods.

Recovery updates are as follows:

City Agency Updates

Sewerage and Water Board New Orleans (SWBNO)

• SWBNO is working to restore normal operations at the East Bank Wastewater Treatment Plant
• Urging the public to be extremely mindful when using water
• Large appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines should not be used at this time
• Residents are encouraged to take shorter showers and conserve water
• SWBNO is utilizing vacuum and flush trucks to keep up with demand as much as possible and to address any reported “hot spots”
• Residents should call 52-WATER to report any sewage backups

Additional State and Local Resources

Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) Behavioral Health Resources

Generator Safety Tips

The Louisiana State Fire Marshal has provided the following generator safety tips:

1. Place generator at least 20 feet away from your home, away from open doors, windows and vent
2. Before refueling, turn the generator off and allow it to cool for 15-20 minutes
3. Do not use a generator in wet conditions
4. Have a fire extinguisher and carbon monoxide monitor for your home
5. Never try to power the house wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet

Louisiana State Fire Marshall Facebook Video on Generator Safety: https://www.facebook.com/LAOSFM/videos/344484140736407

Disaster Louisiana Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP)

• To pre-register for DSNAP, visit dcfs.la.gov/preregister  
• Louisiana Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants can use benefits to purchase “hot” or prepared foods through Sept. 28, 2021
• For more information about the “hot foods” waiver, visit http://dcfs.louisiana.gov/page/snap-hot-foods-waiver
• For state resources visit, https://hurricanerecovery.la.gov/
• For latest information on Hurricane Ida visit, fema.gov/disaster/4611
• Follow FEMA Region 6 at twitter.com/FEMARegion6 and www.facebook.com/FEMARegion6

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

• FEMA representatives have been deployed to Orleans Parish to support recovery efforts
• Residents are encouraged to register online at disasterassistance.gov
• Affected residents can also download the FEMA APP or call 1-800-621-3362 to register
• Homeowners or renters with insurance policies are encouraged to file a claim with individual insurance provider

Insurance

• If you have insurance, residents are encouraged to file a claim with their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance provider
• If you have not filed an insurance claim or provided a copy of your insurance settlement approval or denial to FEMA, you will likely receive a "no decision" notification
• This means FEMA may need additional information from you to continue processing your application
• For National Flood Insurance Program questions, email floodsmart@fema.dhs.gov or call 877-336-2627

For FEMA Assistance 

• For residents who live in Orleans Parish, FEMA disaster assistance may be available to help pay uninsured or underinsured losses such as home repair for disaster-related damage, rental assistance, reimbursement for lodging expenses for individuals whose home was inaccessible or uninhabitable during the disaster, medical expenses incurred from this disaster or other disaster-related needs 
• Residents may be eligible for a one-time payment of $500 per household for immediate or critical lifesaving and life-sustaining items such as water, food, fuel for transportation or prescriptions 
• FEMA may provide one month of expedited rental assistance to eligible applicants who reported their essential utilities are temporarily unavailable
• To apply for FEMA assistance, go to disasterassistance.gov or call 800-621-3362

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) 

• DUA is available to unemployed workers or self-employed individuals who became unemployed as a direct result of Hurricane Ida that are otherwise ineligible to receive state unemployment insurance benefits
• Workers that are already receiving unemployment insurance benefits due to COVID-19 should continue filing weekly claims, and not file for DUA 
• The deadline to file a DUA claim is Oct. 4, 2021
• To learn more about the program and check eligibility, click here

Shelter Transportation Assistance   

• City began assisting state and federal agencies in coordinating the transport of residents with critical medical needs that were interested in evacuating to state-run shelters
• Will operate daily from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. from 12 RTA pick up locations, visit ready.nola.gov/shelterbus
• Busses will be limited to 2,300 riders per day
• NOLA Ready via text if the daily maximum is reached before 4 p.m.
• To receive Ida recovery and response information, text NOLAREADY to 77295. To sign up for the Special Needs Registry, call 3-1-1

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