Tagged: hurricane gustav

Livingston Parish officials claim lies, bungling and withholding of information are grounds for reversal of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's decision to deny $46 million in waterway cleanup costs Livingston incurred after Hurricane Gustav.

FEMA investigators used incorrect geographic coordinates and couldn't find streams where work was done after the 2008 hurricane, but still ruled the streams posed no flooding danger to inhabited property, according to a 76-page appeal supplement filed by the parish.

Repairs are underway to strengthen Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center against future hurricanes.

The work, which includes replacement of hospital freight elevators, windows and exterior walls, will be paid for with Federal Emergency Management Agency grant money and state infrastructure dollars.

Hospital officials tell The Courier the projects will not result in parking or patient service disruptions.

Construction on a new complex in Gray, La. that will house assorted Terrebonne government offices is scheduled to start sometime in 2013.

The Courier reports the complex would be home to a new juvenile detention center, emergency operations center and a Public Works yard that would supplement the yard on Grand Caillou Road.

The Public Facility Campus would cost about $15 million.

Parish government has already paid $1.9 million for the 30-acre site, money that came out of the general fund.

The West Feliciana Parish Police Jury has voted to give its attorney the authority to settle lawsuits related to Hurricane Gustav debris removal.

Phillips and Jordan Inc., a firm the jury chose to pick up and dispose of storm debris after the 2008 hurricane, filed suit in 2010 after being paid only a little more than half of the $4.12 million the company said it is owed.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency refused in 2009 to reimburse the parish for leaning trees and broken or partially broken limbs hanging over public rights of way that threatened public safety.