Hurricane Katrina Aftermath Reports

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

• NRCS completed the damage assessment in 24 counties which were considered to have possible damage by Katrina.  Five counties report damage that would require EWP assistance:  Baldwin, Clarke, Conecuh, Greene, and Mobile.  In Baldwin County, four local sponsors have requested assistance and in Mobile County, eight local sponsors requested assistance.  NRCS is still discussing the EWP program with the other three counties.  Greene County falls within the new EWP regulation guidelines which state that limited resource areas can receive 90 percent cost-share assistance with only 10 percent of the funding coming from the sponsor.
• Concerned citizens from Putnam County, Illinois, have offered to provide housing for a displaced family from the Gulf Coast. NRCS put them in contact with the RC&D Coordinator in the Gulf Coast region.  The Illinois contact person represents a Putnam County faith-based group. She said that the group will help find jobs for the parents and schooling for the children.  The Gulf Coast RC&D Coordinator is making contacts for the group. Although many people are displaced or possibly homeless, most still want to stay close in hopes of getting there lives started again in an area that they are familiar with. The Gulf Coast RC&D Coordinator will continue working with the Illinois group and make contacts for them.
• Alabama NRCS state office employees held a food drive/financial campaign to assist the East Alabama Food Bank, which is depleted as a result of assistance to Katrina evacuees in the area.  Employees contributed $213 plus 17 bags of groceries.  full story

Non-NRCS Katrina related information:

• Birmingham News, 9/21/05, proposals by Rep. Spencer Bachus (R), and Rep. Artur Davis (D), to help evacuees financially.  Keeping victims afloat financially
• Montgomery Advertiser, 9/21/05, suggesting that many evacuees relocated to Alabama will look for work.  Workers displaced by Katrina jam job fair
• Mobile Register, 9/21/05, suggesting possible increase in utility rates in Alabama as a result of Katrina.  Utility: Increase in rates possible
• Birmingham News, 9/21/05, increase in car rental as a result of Katrina.  Vehicles went to evacuees as well as to relief organizations and utilities.  Storm increases car rental demand
• Shelby County Reporter, telling how one community prepared to help evacuees in Alabama.  Evacuees offered more than just a roof
   

 <back to Hurricane Katrina>