e-Directions: 10/11/2005

Disaster Recovery Update

In response to Hurricane’s Katrina and Rita, we have provided assistance and resources to all affected regions covering topics such as cleaning up mold and mildew, managing family finances after a disaster, avoiding disease threats posed by floodwaters, rebuilding stronger and safer homes, assessing crop losses, rescuing displaced cattle and much more. Information is on our Disaster Recovery Web site,  which lately has been updated daily to meet the changing needs of our clientele.

One of the major resources is our Storm Recovery Guide, Pub. 2668A-F, which is available online and in print. It combines the contents of 16 disaster and hazard series fact sheets into one comprehensive publication that covers staying healthy after a disaster, surviving and recovering from a power outage, restoring storm-damaged buildings, salvaging water-damaged belongings, lawn and garden losses and financial recovery and risk management.

In addition to our own Web site and publications, we have been using mass media to help in our education and recovery effort and have distributed more than 20 radio public service announcements and at least 60 news releases since hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit the state. Additionally, full-page ads have run in the Times Picayune, The Advocate, Lafayette Daily Advertiser, Lake Charles American Press, Houma Daily Courier and Thibodaux Comet. View news releases.

A number of faculty members also have been interviewed by local, state and national radio, TV and newspaper reporters, and we’ve placed a series of educational ads in some of the major newspapers across the areas affected by both hurricanes. Information prepared by Dr. Claudette Reichel about cleaning up mold and mildew after a flood was distributed soon after the Katrina disaster. Her name and phone number were found right away by media across the country looking for useful information. So far she's been interviewed by the Washington Post, the Jim Lehrer News Hour and USA Today, and she has appeared on the nationally televised Good Morning America show.

Additionally, the AgCenter has developed a strategic plan that showcases the key educational areas of focus and expertise to deliver to the citizens affected by this disaster. The goal of this strategic plan is to outline the most effective ways to implement AgCenter disaster recovery programs for the immediate needs and programs that will be the most relevant once citizens have relocated or returned home.

All of these efforts are designed to help Louisiana citizens do the best they can to recover from these devastating storms. We want everyone to know the LSU AgCenter is here for them and that we will do our best to help as we all rebuild lives, homes, communities and ways of life.

Internally, many within the AgCenter family have been affected adversely either directly (losing their homes or suffering severe damage) or indirectly (helping severely affected family members and friends). I want to thank everyone who has reached out to these employees in their time of need. I also want to compliment all AgCenter faculty who are still working very hard to help directly assist communities rebuild in their roles as Extension professionals or responsive research scientists. The LSU AgCenter is and will continue to be a major force in storm recovery across the region – our constituency needs us and we must respond! Thanks for all you do.

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The LSU AgCenter Disaster Recovery Hotline will provide hurricane victims with much-needed information for cleanup and recovery. The 800 number will offer those in affected areas recorded “how to” information on avoiding mold hazards, what to do about home and garden damage and more. Callers can also choose to speak to an LSU AgCenter representative for more detailed information on these and other topics important to recovery efforts. The hotline will be staffed by LSU AgCenter professionals and set up at the Jefferson Parish Distance Ed site.

Main Menu Greeting

1. Home and Garden Damage - recorded options
2. Food and Water Safety - recorded options
3. Fisheries, Crops and Livestock - speak to LSU AgCenter representative
4. Personal Finances - speak to LSU AgCenter representative
5. Speak to an LSU AgCenter representative option.

Our goal is to have the hotline in place by Monday, October 17. The hotline will be promoted through newspaper ads, push cards, Web site and other media. When the number is assigned, an all AgCenter e-mail will be sent to alert everyone of the number.

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The Louisiana 4-H Foundation has established an AgCenter Relief Fund; all proceeds go to help those affiliated with the LSU AgCenter who were affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. More than 20 Extension agents and employees and several Experiment Station staff from the Citrus Research Station have lost their homes and all of their possessions. To date, we have more than $35,000 in donations dedicated to the employee relief effort. Monetary donations can be given to the AgCenter Relief Fund. Trey Williams, who is coordinating this effort, says make checks payable to the Louisiana 4-H Foundation, and send to him at P.O. Box 25100, Baton Rouge, LA 70894-5100. You can also make your contribution by credit card by accessing the Louisiana 4-H Foundation Web site or by calling the 4-H Foundation office at (225) 578-1172. All contributions are tax-deductible.

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As you have been made aware, southwest and south central Louisiana beef cattle producers have endured a devastating hit from Hurricane Rita. The Louisiana Ag Summary estimates that more than 175,000 cows reside in the parishes that were hardest hit. Although information is still somewhat vague and arriving daily, we know thousands of beef cattle have been lost or been stranded without hay and fresh water. Specifically, we know that Cameron, Calcasieu, Iberia and Vermilion parishes have endured severe damage to livestock. On October 4, agents from Vermilion Parish facilitated a meeting to discuss the feed and hay situation and status of stranded cattle with local producers. Agents from these parishes have worked diligently around the clock coordinating relief efforts for cattlemen, and, thankfully, members of our AgCenter family have graciously volunteered their time to help relieve these agents. I would like to thank everyone for their willingness to pitch in and help support fellow agents and friends during these critical times.

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Shortly after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Dr. Kurt Guidry and other AgCenter faculty began to develop assessments of the potential damage caused to the agricultural, fisheries and forestry industries in the state. The LSU AgCenter was able to begin to provide preliminary estimates on losses of revenue caused by production losses. These estimates total over $1,590,734,900 in agricultural economic loss caused by the combined effects of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

These estimates are accessible on the “Agriculture” link on the AgCenter’s Disaster Recovery Web site.

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As you are aware, the AgCenter estimate $611 million in economic losses in the Louisiana forestry sector. In the near-term, the AgCenter is deeply involved in forest recovery efforts through participation with the Louisiana Forest Restoration Task Force headed by the Louisiana Forestry Association and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry. The mission of the task force is to facilitate salvage efforts to maximize the recovery of timber damaged by the hurricane and to begin the process of renewing the forest. AgCenter faculty including Dr. David Boethel, Dr. Richard Vlosky, Dr. Todd Shupe, Dr. Tom Dean and Dr. Neils De Hoop attended the first task force meeting September 10 in Hammond. Also represented on the task force are timber companies, loggers, Louisiana Logging Council, DOTD, consulting foresters, USFS, NRCS, FSA and Mississippi logging specialists. The following committees were formed: logging, wood utilization, communications, forest health and regeneration, governmental affairs, and data collection and reporting. The AgCenter is represented on these committees. In addition, the AgCenter is setting up a task force listserv to facilitate communication and coordination.

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The AgCenter will offer farm financial workshops to assist agricultural producers affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in gathering information on government disaster assistance programs, recovery operations, marketing, stress management and other topics. These workshops will include discussions from the LSU AgCenter, USDA – Farm Service Agency, USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Bureau, Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association and other agencies/organizations. Producers will have the opportunity to identify concerns and ask questions on issues specific to their situations. In addition to the agencies asked to present, we will invite commodity organizations, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries representatives, and legislators to participate in the question and answer session.

Our goal is to conduct five workshops during the week of October 25 though 28 in the affected regions. You will receive more information shortly.

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A change has been made to the PS-42’s “Criteria and Documentation for Promotion and/or Tenure Requests.” The change states that applicants must “attach to the documentation a copy of the current job description and copies of the unit head’s comments on previous annual evaluations at the current rank. (Do not attach the complete evaluation document.)”

Because of additional feedback from faculty and unit heads, the requirement for submitting copies of the unit head’s comments is being eliminated. We will send a formal revision to PS-42 shortly.

Please contact Ann Coulon, director of Human Resource Management, if you have questions.

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Community leadership program wins national award

The AgCenter's Community Leadership & Economic Development Program (CLED) has received the economic development training achievements award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). CLED was established 10 years ago and is directed by Sandy Dooley and Karen Overstreet. Read the news release.

CLED competed in the category of College/University Economic Development Training Achievements by organizations serving areas with populations under 50,000. The CLED program offers hands-on courses for those interested in helping their communities thrive, and it addresses the need for improved leadership capacity and economic development readiness of Louisiana's rural communities. Read more.

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is headquartered in Washington, D.C. Its mission is to provide leadership and excellence in economic development for communities, members and partners. IEDC's professional economic development awards annually recognize excellence in the economic development profession.

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The Small Business Administration (SBA) has developed disaster assistance programs to help people recover from disasters and rebuild their lives by providing affordable, timely and accessible financial assistance to homeowners, renters and businesses. Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 to repair or replace the primary residence. Loans of up to $40,000 are available to renters and homeowners to cover losses to personal property like clothing, appliances and furniture. The interest rate is 2.68 percent with 30-year terms, and the loans are aimed at covering losses not fully covered by insurance.

Three loan programs available are:

• Home Disaster Loans – for homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster damages including personal property losses.
• Business Physical Disaster Loans – to repair or replace disaster damages to property owned by businesses of all sizes. Non-profit organizations are also eligible.
• Economic Injury Disaster Loans – for working capital to small businesses and cooperatives to assist them through the recovery period.

To qualify for any kind of federal assistance, residents and business owners in the disaster areas must contact FEMA first at 1-800-621-FEMA. General information on SBA's disaster loan program can be found by calling 1-800-659-2955 or visiting www.sba.gov/disaster. A fact sheet explaining the Small Business Administration types of assistance for hurricanes Rita and Katrina, credit requirements, interest rates and eligibility requirements is available. Another valuable resource for affected citizens is a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) which is posted on the Web site.

The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (OHSEP) announced that two more Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are open. There are now 27 centers available in Louisiana for the disaster needs of the hurricane victims. All centers are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week until further notice. Locations are:

Disaster Recovery Centers by Parish

For the latest news on assistance and deadlines by Louisiana region, go to:

http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Disnews/disnla.html

Please share this information with anyone who may be interested in using this service.

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Following is the current status of Extension offices in the Crescent Region and Southwest Region:

Orleans Parish – closed but re-opened at Jefferson Parish office

Plaquemines Parish – partially opened in temporary office trailers

St. Bernard Parish – closed until further notice for damage assessment

St. Charles Parish – open (mail service, Internet and phones restored)

Jefferson Parish – open (mail service, Internet and phones restored)

Cameron Parish – closed but re-opened in Calcasieu Parish office

Updates will be provided as we get more detailed information.

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