La. Gov. Responds to FEMA Denial of Aid Request, Pledges $25,000 to Town of Olla

March 1, 2005

Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco recently pledged $25,000 to the town of Olla in response to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) decision to deny Louisiana’s appeal for a major disaster declaration and Individual Assistance.

“I am extremely disappointed by FEMA’s decision to ignore the economic hardships that many Louisianians have endured as a result of the severe storms and tornadoes that struck central and south Louisiana last November,” Gov. Blanco said.

“This decision was made despite the efforts of my administration to work with state and local officials, the Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and the Congressional Delegation to provide FEMA with an abundance of information and support in favor of our request.

“In an effort to provide some immediate relief and ease the burdens of our citizens that were most affected, I am pledging $25,000 from the Office of Rural Development to the Town of Olla. These funds will be used to repay some of the debts the city has already incurred in response to the disaster and will aid in the process of rebuilding lives,” she continued.