Mayor Mitch Landrieu is hoping that assessments of the damage caused by the EF-3 tornado that struck portions of New Orleans East on Tuesday will reach the level needed to support a federal disaster declaration to clear the way for the expenditure of federal funds.
FEMA employees are among those who are conducting assessments.
The team will determine the extent of the disaster, its impact on individuals and public facilities, and the types of federal assistance that may be needed. This information will be included in the Governor's request to show that the disaster is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the state and the city and that supplemental federal assistance is necessary.
Emergency declarations supplement state and local government efforts in providing emergency services, such as the protection of lives, property, public health, and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe. The total amount of assistance provided for in a single emergency may not exceed $5 million.
The city says over 5,100 buildings in New Orleans East sustained damage from the twister and that 300 were "severely damaged."