GREENSBURG - St. Helena Parish was added to the list of parishes deemed a disaster in the wake of wide-spread flooding in March. As of Tuesday afternoon, residents are now eligible for federal disaster assistance.

St. Helena joins the list that already includes Allen, Ascension, Beauregard, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Calcasieu, Caldwell, Catahoula, Claiborne, DeSoto, East Carroll, Franklin, Grant, Jackson, LaSalle, Lincoln, Livingston, Madison, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Red River, Richland, Sabine, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Union, Vernon, Washington, Webster, West Carroll, and Winn. Catahoula, East Carroll, Franklin, Lincoln and St. Helena were added to the list Monday.

“This additional flood assistance will make such a difference for families who truly need it in these five parishes,” said Gov. Edwards. “We continue to do all we can to connect those families with the assistance and resources they need to piece together a normal, day-to-day life after facing such devastating loss.”

Residents can apply for federal disaster in three ways:

-Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov 

- By calling 800-621-FEMA (3362)
        (People who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY should call 800-462-7585. For those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362). These toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.

- At a disaster recovery center (DRC).
        (For addresses of all the DRCs currently operating in Louisiana, go to www.fema.gov/disaster/4263 and click on the “Disaster Recovery Centers” link)

he federal disaster declaration issued March 13 for seven Louisiana parishes has been expanded four times to include 28 additional parishes as a result of severe storms and flooding that began on Mar. 8.             

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