Government Resource Links

A list of Federal and local government resources for those affected by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and/or Wilma, but many are applicable to any disaster.

Community Renewal

• Bring New Orleans Back Commission--a group of committees advising the mayor of New Orleans on how to rebuild
• Louisiana Rebirth: Restoring the Soul of America
• Mississippi's Governor's Plan for Rebuilding
• Florida's Long-Term Hurricane Recovery: Creating a Vision for the Future
• Florida's Bureau of Recovery & Mitigation
• Dept. of Commerce: Rebuilding the Gulf Coast--a site encouraging minority-owned small-medium sized companies to get government contracts
• Minority Business Development Agency--services to help rebuild
• National Institute of Standards & Technology--services to help rebuild

Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports

• Flood Risk Management: Federal Role in Infrastructure
• Disaster Response & Appointment of a Recovery Czar: The Executive Branch's Response to the Flood of 1927
• Issues Raised by Hurricane Katrina: A Focus on Education & Training
• Regulatory Waivers & Extensions Pursuant to Hurricane Katrina

Emergency Management Assistance (FEMA, EMAC)

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Information
• FEMA's Guide to Building Safer, Stronger Structures
• FEMA's Guide to Risk Assessment, Planning & Grants
• FEMA's Guide to Creating Disaster Resistant Universities
• FEMA's Guide to Salvaging Historic Properties & Cultural Resources
• FEMA's Guide to Long-Term Community Recovery
• Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC)--facilitating interstate aid by resolving liability and reimbursement issues
• Partnerships to Reduce Hazard Risks: Tips for Community Officials, Colleges, & Universities
• Dept. of Homeland Security: Lessons Learned Information Sharing
• FEMA's Recovery Progress Report
• FEMA/MEMA Updates for Institutions of Higher Learning
• Louisiana Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness
• Mississippi Hurricane Recovery document
• Florida Division of Emergency Management
• Emergency Management Association of Texas 
• Texas Governor's Division of Emergency Management
• Hurricanes Katrina & Rita Relief & Recovery Assistance Guide, Ver. 6 (11/21/05)
• How to Replace Vital Documents

Facilities

• Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Katrina Site
• Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rita Site
• National Telecommunications & Information Administration--offering technical assistance to public TV and radio
• Federal Energy Regulatory Commission--special accomodations made for hurricane victims
• Katrina Recovery: Community Services

Health Care

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC)--Recovery, Immunizations, Mental Health
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC)--How to Combat Mold in Buildings
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)--Indoor Air Quality "Tools for Schools" Kit
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)--Indoor Air Mold Remediation for Schools & Commercial Buildings
• National Institute of Mental Health: Coping with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
• Crisis Counseling in Alabama--paid by FEMA
• Mental Health Services Locator
• Texas Dept. of Mental Health & Mental Retardation 
• U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services: Hurricane Relief & Recovery
• National Institutes of Health (NIH): Response to Hurricane Katrina Disaster Information for Investigators & Institutions
• National Institutes of Health (NIH): Links to Information on Environmental Toxins
• Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA): Keeping Workers Safe During Clean Up & Recovery Operations Following a Hurricane

Hurricane Sites (by state)

• FirstGov.gov--Hurricane Recovery
• Louisiana's Official Katrina Site
• Mississippi Hurricane Recovery Site
• Texas' Hurricane Information
• My Florida--State of Florida's Web Site
• The Official Website of the State of Alabama: Hurricane News and Alerts

Legislation

• U.S. Dept. of Justice--Hurricane Katrina-Related Immigration Issues & Legislation (9/19/05)
• Federal Reserve--Waiver of the Appraisal Regulation/Requirements for Regulated Institutions Affected by Katrina & Rita
• Louisiana State Legislation

Student/Faculty & Staff Locator

• Louisiana Board of Regents Tracking System for Students, Faculty & Staff
• Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning: Hurricane Katrina Information Center (note link to Information Regarding FEMA Funding)
• U.S. Immigration--general information, including replacing lost travel documents

Tax Relief

• Dept. of Treasury Hurricane Katrina Relief (Tax Relief)
• IRS Hurricane Tax Relief Information

Transportation

• Louisiana State Police--State & Federal Highway Road Closures
• Dept. of Transportation: Status of Transportation Recovery
• Dept. of Transportation--Information on ships being used to house hurricane victims and clean-up workers
• Texas Dept. of Transportation
• Alabama Dept. of Transportation--emergency road closures

Unemployment

• Dept. of Labor's Hurricane Recovery Assistance--including insurance & disaster assistance
• Texas Workforce Commission
• Louisiana Works: Dept. of Labor
• Mississippi Dept. of Employment Security
• National Emergency Grants--How to Apply and Eligibility for Retraining for Reemployment
• Dept. of Labor: How Employers Can Offer Loans Against 401K Funds
• Extensions on Health Care Coverage (HIPPA & COBRA)
• Extensions for Filing Form 5500 & Form 5500-EZ (annual return/reports for employee benefit plans)