Lafourche added to FEMA list

Lafourche Parish has been included under the federal emergency declaration for Louisiana in anticipation of backwater flooding. As per its inclusion, FEMA will reimburse 75 percent of costs associated with flood prevention measures the parish takes.

“This is welcome news and certainly should not be construed as a ‘bad’ sign for us,” Parish President Charlotte Randolph said in a release. “It simply means FEMA will foot the bill if we do have to employ any protective measures.”

Lafourche joins Terrebonne, St. Mary and 24 other parishes in qualifying.

The state requested the addition of seven more parishes, which FEMA said is under further review.

Local governments are responsible for the remaining 25 percent of costs associated with flood fighting on the parish level, and the state is accountable for a quarter of the costs that its agencies bear. Randolph said the state is pushing for FEMA to cover the cost in its entirety.