No Federal Disaster Declaration for Tornado Stricken Louisiana Parish

Ouachita Parish fell several million short to receive a federal disaster declaration that would have allowed federal reimbursement for October’s tornadoes.

Ouachita Parish Homeland Security Director Archie Neal Brown tells The News-Star the parish had $4 million in damages countable by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The magic number for a federal declaration was $6.3 million.

Assistance will be made available through the Small Business Administration. Representatives will be in Monroe taking applications this week on the second floor of the Ouachita Parish Public Library’s main branch.

Individuals and business owners can apply for long-term, low interest loans to assist in rebuilding.

Without a federal disaster declaration, Ouachita Parish public agencies will have to eat the cost associated with storm damage expenses.