The 2020 Annual LMA Convention workshops, scheduled to take place through September 17, 2020, have been postponed in the wake of the devastation left by Hurricane Laura.
Hurricane Laura made landfall on August 27 and ravaged Louisiana with wind and rain before moving north into Arkansas. Currently, President Trump has approved Major Disaster Declarations for 23 parishes: Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, Acadia, Vermilion, Catahoula, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Sabine, Vernon, Winn, Bienville, Claiborne, Red River, Caldwell, Jackson, Lincoln, Ouachita and Union. Conservative estimates indicate $9 billion in damages as hundreds of thousands of Louisianans suffer through the sweltering heat without power.
The LMA team is working diligently to assist its members during this difficult time and will reschedule the virtual workshops as soon as practicable. For resources and assistance for victims of Hurricane Laura, please visit the following:
LMA Emergency Management Publications: https://www.lma.org/LMA/Publications/Emergency_Management/LMA/Publications/Emergency_Management.aspx?hkey=b99b0258-f839-49b2-b6a5-f568656b5df8
To Apply for FEMA Assistance: http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired (7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT)
Reimbursement for Transportation Facilities and Assets: http://www.ltrc.lsu.edu/ltap/emergency-preparedness.html
Secretary of State’s Disaster Forms and Guidance: https://www.sos.la.gov/HistoricalResources/ManagingRecords/DisasterPreparationAndRecoveryInformation/Pages/default.aspx
The LMA’s disaster management and recovery expert, Deputy Director of Disaster Response Brett Kriger, is also available to assist LMA members with any questions, including FEMA reimbursement, best practices, state and federal mandates, and more. He may be reached at bkriger@lma.org or 225-252-6118.
“Having spoken to mayors throughout the state, the devastation is almost unimaginable,” said LMA Executive Director John Gallagher. “For some, it may be several weeks before power and water are restored. As we strive to vigilantly assist our membership, those affected by this terrible storm remain in our thoughts and prayers. We encourage those who are able to do so to contribute through one of the relief coordinating agencies throughout the affected areas of the state.”
The LMA will publish a revised schedule of virtual workshops once they are rescheduled.
