Louisiana senator calls on FEMA to open recovery centers

Louisiana Sen. David Vitter (R) is calling on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to open recovery centers in places affected by the flooding in his state.

{mosads}In a letter to FEMA Friday, the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee chairman said there is an urgent need for operational disaster recovery centers in more than 20 parishes across disaster-stricken Louisiana.

“As of August 19, there are zero in operation,” he said. “I also understand that sites for these recovery centers have not been selected at this point. This is unacceptable.”

At least 13 people died and 30,000 were evacuated after severe storms hammered southern Louisiana and caused damaging flooding last week. 

While Vitter said he understands the agency must coordinate with the state and local government, he said the process is taking too long.

“The citizens of Louisiana are all too familiar with the pain associated with natural disasters,” he said in the letter. “Please do not let government ineptitude further contribute to their loss.”

The White House said earlier this week that 40,000 homes had been damaged by the flooding and more than 70,000 people have registered for FEMA assistance.