Post-Isaac disaster assistance available.

Even though St. Charles Parish was not pre-approved for the following disaster assistance immediately following Isaac, the parish has now been qualified for the below programs. Please call the numbers or visit the links provided for more information.

Updated 9:20 a.m. Sept. 10

FEMA INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE: If you are a resident interested in registering for IA, call 1-800-621-3362 or register online at www.disasterassistance.gov. Please note that residents MUST notify their insurance companies of any property damages prior to obtaining IA. Please have the following information available when you call: A phone number where FEMA can reach you; social security number; current mailing address; address of the affected property; brief description of the damages; insurance information including policy number. FEMA teams beginning Thursday (Sept. 6) will be going door-to-door throughout the parish assessing needs for assistance and giving out information on how to register. Team members will be wearing blue FEMA shirts and photo identification with the FEMA logo.

DISASTER FOOD STAMPS (DSNAP): St. Charles Parish residents may pre-apply for disaster food stamps by calling 1-888-524-3578 or visiting dss.louisiana.gov. A DSNAP site will open from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. beginning Sept. 9 at Mount Airy Baptist Church in Boutte. A shuttle service will transport residents to the site from the West Bank Bridge Park in Luling. Shuttle service will run continuously each day until it is determined that no new applicants can be served before 6 p.m.
The alphabet schedule is as follows:

• Sept. 9 - S through Z;
• Sept. 10 - A through C;
• Sept. 11 - D through G;
• Sept. 12 - H through L;
• Sept. 13 - M through R;
• Sept. 14 - All applicants unable to make prior scheduled day;
• Sept. 15 - All applicants unable to make prior scheduled day.

Beginning Monday (Sept. 10), when most facilities will serve all applicants who have previously been unable to visit a site, applicants will need to only visit the site in their parish.

For more detailed information on income requirements, click here.

For more detailed information on pre-applying, click here.

Disabled and elderly individuals can drive up to or be dropped off at the site to be serviced. Staff try to see these applicants as quickly as possible. These applicants are also being helped onto shuttles at the West Bank Bridge Park. Another option is for the individual to name an authorized representative to make their application and be interviewed for them. In order to do that, the household would need to sign a statement authorizing another person to make an application for them and send a copy of their picture ID. The authorized representative would need to give the statement, the head of household's ID and their ID when they go to the site. They would need to be prepared to answer questions regarding the household's situation.

DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE: People in St. Charles Parish whose jobs have been lost or interrupted as a direct result of Hurricane Isaac in parishes approved for FEMA’s individual disaster assistance are eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). Anyone who has not returned to work as of Sept. 8, 2012 can apply. The deadline to apply is Oct. 2, 2012. To apply visit www.laworks.net or call 866-783-5567.

DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER: A state/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) has opened in St. Charles Parish to assist homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage to their home or personal property as a result of Hurricane Isaac.
Specialists from the state of Louisiana, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are on hand to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors.

The DRC is located at:
Village Square Shopping Center
737 Paul Maillard Rd., Suite A
Luling, LA 70070
8 a.m. until 6 p.m. until further notice

This brings to 10 the number of centers that are operating. More recovery centers will open as sites are identified and approved. For a list of open centers in Louisiana go online to www.fema.gov/disaster/4080.

Applying for disaster assistance is quick and simple. Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

SBA offers federal low-interest disaster loans to residents and businesses. After registering with FEMA, visit any Disaster Recovery Center where SBA representatives will answer questions, explain the application process and help each resident or business owner apply to SBA. For SBA information or to apply online, visit www.sba.gov or call 1-800-659-2955. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call 1-800-877-8339.

PRIVATE PROPERTY DAMAGE: St. Charles Parish is collecting data regarding Hurricane Isaac debris located on private property which poses an immediate threat to life, public health and/or safety or may impact utility services for personal or business use. Please report these cases to St. Charles Parish EOC at (985) 783-5050.

BUILDING PERMITS: Permits are required for the repair of storm-related damages to structures, including roof repairs. The St. Charles Parish Council has waived all permit fees and some plan review and inspection fees relating to hurricane repairs. Damage to home or business electrical service requires permits and inspections prior to reconnection.
For those whose electrical panel or meter box has separated from their homes, an electrician is required to do the work. Inspections may be scheduled by calling (985) 655-1070. Inspection fees have been waived. Please keep in mind that insurance companies frequently require proof of compliance with building codes for release of funds. For more information please call the Department of Planning and Zoning at (985) 783-5060.

GARBAGE PICKUP: Regular residential garbage pickup has resumed as of Aug. 31. This is for cans and bagged items ONLY. Please note that pickup is running behind due to long waits at the landfill, but crews should be covering any missed addresses the following day. Garbage issues may be addressed to (985) 331-8604 or by filling out the form at stcharlesparish-la.gov under 'I Want To…' >> 'Report.'

DEBRIS PICKUP: Debris pickup is ongoing. The process is estimated to take 4 to 6 weeks due to the amount of debris and estimated wait time at the landfill. This is for storm-related tree limbs, vegetation and white goods. DO NOT bag tree limbs or large vegetative debris. Remember not to block fire hydrants, water meters, gas meters, cable or phone pedestals or drainage infrastructure. Separate all types of debris (vegetative, construction and demolition, white goods, etc.) as each is handled differently. Vegetative debris will be removed FIRST. Residents should place small bagged items (leaves, spoiled food, etc.) in their garbage cans for faster removal through regular garbage collection. Do not mix household garbage and debris. For example, don't add tree branches to your garbage can on top of garbage bags, and do not place piles of debris around garbage cans to where the debris would have to be moved to get to the can.

Please place all debris at your curb. Please do not place debris on neutral grounds. The contractor cannot enter private property to pick up debris. Those living on state highways that are able to place debris along a parish street are encouraged to do so. The parish is NOT legally allowed to pick up debris on state highway rights-of-way. (This is important especially on Highways 306 in Bayou Gauche and Old Spanish Trail in Boutte and Paradis.)

NOTICES:

• Please call 1-800-ENTERGY or 1-800-9-OUTAGE for information on or to report power outages.
• All private nonprofits with damages as a result of Isaac that have been registered with the Secretary of State’s Office and are 501C3s should call (985) 783-5050.
• Due to damage and debris, all parish parks will be CLOSED until further notice.
• Please remove plywood window coverings as soon as possible to allow rescue and/or retreat in case of fire at your residence.
• Please note is is ILLEGAL to burn debris piles.

Please stay tuned to local media, Cox Cable Channel 6 in St. Charles Parish, www.stcharlesparish-la.gov, 1-888-SCP-9EOC or 1370 AM in St. Charles Parish for further announcements. The parish's social media sites will be updated continuously at www.facebook.com/stcharlesgov and www.twitter.com/stcharlesgov. To sign up for emergency text messages and e-mails, visit www.stcharlesparish-la.gov and click on 'Emergency Alert System' on the left side of the page as well as 'E-Newsletters' at the top of the page.

Any questions may be directed to the St. Charles Parish Emergency Operations Center at (985) 783-5050 24 hours a day.

PHONE NUMBERS:
LA State Police: 1-800-469-4828
FEMA: 1-800-621-FEMA
Red Cross: 1-866-GET-INFO or 985-785-0647
VIA Link Assistance Hotline: 211
St. Charles Parish Hospital: 985-785-6242
St. Charles Parish Department of Community Services: 985-764-7944
United Way of St. Charles: 985-331-9063
Contract Monitor (garbage and debris): 985-331-8604
Atmos Energy: 1-888-286-6700
Cox Communications: 504-304-8444

DOWNLOAD COPIES OF THE MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDER AND EMERGENCY DECLARATION RELATING TO ISAAC

ISAAC PARISH DAMAGE ASSESSMENT MAP