U.S. Congressman Garret Graves announced today $7,501,483.50 from FEMA to help prevent future hurricane, flood and other damages in the state. These funds build on top of record investments made recently including $100 million in FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and Graves' recent announcement of over $2.5 billion in hurricane protection, flood control and other projects to help protect Louisiana.
"You can spend millions on flood protection or billions on hurricane recovery. These funds build in the billions we've secured in hurricane protection, strategic restoration of Louisiana's coast and flood control. Louisiana is safer with these investments," Graves said.
Funding breakdown:
Project Title: East Baton Rouge - Groom Road Storm System Improvements
- Federal Funding Allotment: $1,136,600.00
- Project Description: This grant will fund the Phase I proposal for East Baton Rouge (EBR) Sub-recipient, Groom Road Storm System Improvements Project located in Baker, Louisiana (Latitude, Longitude: 30.5881, -91.1657 (start)/ 30.5878, -91.1591 (end)). This proposal provides funding to the Sub-recipient for data gathering and technical analysis and to improve drainage by implementing localized interior drainage projects to provide protection from floods, aid in the reduction of losses to existing and future property and protect the health and well-being of the people in the watershed area from the negative effects of flood hazards. The proposed project is to remove the existing road, curb, gutter, and storm sewer systems, and replace them with upgraded features along the 2,000 feet corridor of Groom Road. The existing storm sewers on both sides of the street would be replaced with three (3) reinforced concrete pipe (RCP) storm sewers, respectively, that are one (1) foot in diameter larger than the existing structure. The upgraded features include replacing the existing pipes with 1,410 feet of 24-inch pipe, 390 feet of 30-inch pipe, 418 feet of 36-inch pipe, 2,700 feet of 42-inch pipe, 1,080 feet of 48-inch pipe, 3,300 feet of 54-inch pipe, and 2,820 feet of 60-inch pipe. The proposed project also includes replacing 16 curb inlet structures along Groom Road as well as replacing the road at a profile slightly higher than the existing. Utility relocations may be necessary and would be determined during the detailed design. The project is expected to be completed in 3 years. This award is pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Section 404, and 44 CFR Part 206.434.
Project Title: East Baton Rouge - Livingston Parish - West Colyell Drainage Improvements, Buddy Ellis Road
- Federal Funding Allotment: $3,033,100.00
- Project Description: This grant will fund the West Colyell Drainage Improvements. This project includes widening and reshaping multiple sections along West Colyell Creek from Buddy Ellis Road (30.453437°, -90.890045°) to the confluence with the Middle Colyell Creek (30.372084°, -90.814060°). The project is expected to be completed in 3 years. This award is pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Section 404, and 44 CFR Part 206.434
Project Title: Southern University Erosion/Road Improvements (State Agency)
- Federal Funding Allotment: $3,331,783.50
- Project Description: This grant will fund improving and armoring of all eroded foreslopes between and near F and H Street. These improvements will eliminate erosion within the project area which will protect the main utility hub for the university and new roadways constructed at F and H Street. Drainage will also be improved to provide adequate capacity to the ravine. In addition, all roadways will be constructed to state and federal guidelines which will improve safety. Additional work includes relocation/protection of all utilities within the proposed construction area. The project is expected to be completed in three (3) years. This award is pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Section 404, and 44 CFR Part 206.434.
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds are appropriated by Congress and allocated from the federal Disaster Relief Fund. Congress sets aside an additional percentage of total federal recovery funds for the purpose of preparing for and minimizing future disaster damages. Following the Flood of 2016, Louisiana received approximately $300 million in HMGP funding. In June 2021, $176 million had been allocated to Southwest Louisiana for Hurricanes Laura and Delta.
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