Contact
Information
IMPORTANT: Red Cross Family Links is now
online. If you know of someone that is missing or needs rescue begin with the Coast Guard.
You can call a local Red Cross
Chapter outside the disaster zone for information. The Salvation Army and online
resources can also help your search to find your family members. Many folks who were
rescued have been taken to shelters and to various hospitals.
Emergency Assistance/Search & Rescue
Phone numbers for those in extreme emergencies:
- Louisiana State
Police: (800) 469-4828:
- St. John Emergencies: (985) 652-6338 | (985) 497-3321
- Kenner Emergencies: (504) 468-7200
- Coast Guard: (225) 389-2133
- Coast
Guard Toll Free 800-323-7233
- Mississippi Search and Rescue 601-360-0054
U.S. Coast Guard Search & Rescue
Louisiana emergency phone numbers for those in distress:
Louisiana State Police:
- (225) 922-0325
- (225) 922-0332
- (225) 922-0333
- (225) 922-0334
- (225)
922-0335
- (225) 922-0341
- (225) 925-7398
Other
Emergency Phone Numbers (New Orleans)
- For shelter information, call 1-800-469-4828
- Police, Fire & Medical Emergencies -- 911
- Search & Rescue -- (225) 925-7708
- Crescent City Connection Police --(504) 364-8180
- NOPD Non-Emergency --(504)
821-2222
- Louisiana State Police-- (504) 471-2775
- Office of Homeland Security--
(504) 658-6900
- Office Of Emergency Preparedness --(504) 658-8700
- Poison Control
Center -- (800) 256-9822
- Public Advocacy --(504) 658-4015
Road Closures
Louisiana State Police
Road Closure Hotline:
Online or 1-800-469-4828
Mississippi Road Conditions Hotline
601-359-7017
Alabama Road Closures
FEMA Maps of Flooded Areas
and Closed Roads
Red Cross Information Line for public safety and road closures 1-866-GET-INFO.
Offender Registries & Contacts
Probation or parole offenders living in Texas from states affected by the
disaster should check in at Texas Parole Division Command 1-866-680-6667 immediately.
Locate Juvenile Inmates in Louisiana 225-287-7988,7955, and 7900.
Alabama Sexual Offenders
Registry
Florida
Sexual Offenders Registry
Louisiana Sexual Offenders
Registry
Mississippi Sexual Offenders
Registry
Texas Sexual Offenders
Registry.
Finding Friends and Relatives
- Report Missing Persons in Louisiana at
- 225-925-6626
- 225-925-7708
- 225-925-7709
- 225-925-3511
- 225-925-7412
TIP: The Times Picayune is reporting Text Messaging May Work even when cell
phones
won't connect.
Houston Red Cross finding family number
713-313-1628. Your local
Red Cross chapter may also be able to help.
Salvation
Army Health & Welfare Request Form
Yahoo! Finding Friends and
Family Multi-site searches.
Lycos Katrina People Locator Multi-site
searches.
www.disastersearch.org
List
of Evacuees in shelters by the Shreveport Times.
More Lists of Evacuees in
Shelters
Life List will match you with a volunteer to help search for
friends and family. Call 1-877-LIFE LIST. Include your name, telephone number, who you
are looking for and last known location.
Louisiana Finding Family Hotline 1-866-326-9393.
Family of Military "I'm OK" Line (888)
777-7731 Sun-Herald I'm OK Telephone Line (866) 453-1925
and Web Site
I'm OK
Reverse Voice Mail Hotline 1-877-206-7500. HOW IT
WORKS Reverse Voice Mail
through Contact Loved Ones. Instructions at the we site. Locating Juvenile Inmates in
Louisiana" 225-287-7988,7955, and 7900. Employee Hotlines and Contacts
Employee Hotlines (MGM
Mirage, Pepsi, USPS, Sav-A-Center,Penn National Gaming, Lockheed Martin and many others)
United Kingdom Relatives Hotline 020-7008 0000. Houston
British Consulate 001-713 659 6270. Foreign Office and Consulates
(Canada, UK, Australia)
Hurricane Help Survived Katrina Lists
National Next of Kin Registry KatrinaConnections.com (with photos) New Orleans Police & Fire Reconnect
CNN Reported Safe List
(Has many shelter locations)
CNN "I'm OK" email:hurricanevictimes@cnn.com New Orleans Craigs List Jackson Craigs List Gulf Coast News Survivors List (19,000+
names)
Gulf Coast News (Mirror
Site) Gulf Coast News
(Mirror Site) WWL
Searching for Forum Yahoo Katrina
Message Boards WWL I'm Ok
Forum
Locate
Patients or Staff at Tenet Healthcare hurricanerefugee.com survivorsreunited.org WDSU I'm OK Forum Air America Voice Mail
Service katrinacheckin.org Nola.com
Forums Hurricane
Katrina Connection familymessages.org
missingfriendsandfamily.blogspot.com
Worldslist Missing Persons
FindKatrina.com
Nola.com Katrina Survivor Blog www.hurricanekatrinasurvivors.com
www.fullcircle.net www.nowpublic.com katrinacentral.com neworleansrefugees.blogspot.com hurricanekatrinasurvivors.com
Katrina Survivors Connect I'm OK Free Email Messaging Hurricane Victims Forum
Katrina
Survivors Blog Weather
Channel Message Boards Live Journal Roll Call
Public People Locator survivorsconnect.com watchersformissing.com Family Search
Military Relief Information
Find Housing
- HurricaneHousing.org
- Homes for Katrina Victims
- Craigs List Housing
- Homes for Katrina Victims
- Operation Share Your Home
- NOLA.com Find Housing
- Katrina Sponsorship
- FEMA Shelter Hotline
(888) 312-4567
- Free camping
Transportation Help
- List
of many, many options for survivors, medically needy individuals,
and others needing transportation assistance following the disaster.
Shelters
Shelter Information:
Red Cross- 1(866)-GET-INFO
(438-4636)
FEMA Shelter Hotline (888) 312-4567
List of Shelters
Louisiana Special-Needs
Shelter Information
Triage Phone Numbers:
Alexandria: 800-841-5778 Shreveport: 800-841-5776
Baton Rouge: 800-349-1372 Monroe:
866-280-7287
Houma/Thibodaux: 800-228-9409 Slidell/Hammond: 866-280-7724
Lafayette: 800-901-3210 Lake Charles: 866-280-2711
Rayne Civic Center, Rayne, LA.
337-334-9976, 337-334-3121
- Emergency Shelter Information Points:
- Tourist Welcome Center, US 65 &
84, 1401 Carter St. (US 84), Vidalia, LA
- Tourist Welcome Center, TA Truck Stop,
Tallulah Exit (Hwy 65 & I 20)
- Paragon Casino, 711 Paragon Place, Marksville LA
-
Sammy's Truck Stop, I-49, Exit 53, 3601 LA 115W, Bunkie, LA
- Med Express Office, 7525
US 71, Alexandria, LA
- P.E. Gym, LSU- Shreveport, One University Place, Shreveport,
LA
- Pickering High School, 180 Lebleu Rd., Leesville, LA
- Mowad Civic Center,
5th & 10th St., 1 Block off US 165, Oakdale, LA
Shelters in Houston. For more
information regarding shelters in Houston dial 1-888-312-4567.
Houston Shelter Information
Houston Astrodome
General Delivery, Houston Astrodome 77230
Mont Belview Sr Center
11607 Eagle Drive
Baytown Community Center
2407 Market St, Baytown, Tx
Memorial Baptist Church
600 W. Sterling, Baytown Texas 77520
St. Peter Claver
6005 N. Wayside Drive,Houston Tx
Moody Methodist Church
2803 53rd Street,Galveston, Texas
Spring Tabernacle
3034 FM 2920, Spring, Tx 77338
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
18220 Upper Bay Rd-Nassau Bay, Houston, Tx
St. Mary's Catholic Church
701 Church Street, Brenham, Tx
Fairmont Park Baptist Church
10401 Belfast, LaPorte, Tx
New Life Central
2104 Underwood, LaPorte, Tx
1st United Methodist Church
4308 W. Dallas, Conroe, Tx
1st Baptist Church
906 Ave A, Katy, Tx
1st Baptist Church
1229 Ave J, Huntsville, Tx
Florida Shelter Information
Donate
Money is still considered the best donation as it is easy to move to the disaster
zone where there are still shortages of gas, transportation, and people to sort and tag items. If
you do send supplies, be sure the box clearly labels what is inside. It is also best to sort items
of a single type in the same box rather than mix up different kinds of items together. Most places
will no longer accept clothing (with some specific needs excepted).
Volunteer
Volunteers are needed to enter names from the many web sites helping
friends and family reconnect into the neworleansnetwork.org database. If you can
help please go to
this site.
UPS and FedEx can now reach many shelter locations. Consider deliverying
supplies by this route if possible. See: for locations.
Landmarks Underwater in New Orleans. GPS and satellite phones
would help search and rescue efforts.
Check with Your Local Blood Donation Program. Centers
being set up for blood donation efforts.
Salvation Army is looking for small groups of volunteers who
can serve victims and response personnel in 12-day stints. Call Maj. Alan Phillips at
(904) 545-1371 or Robert Toman at (904) 545-1035.
Red Cross is asking for volunteers. In Louisiana dial
211 or call 1-866-GET-INFO or check with your local Red Cross chapter.
Many other organizations are recruiting volunteers to assist in the relief effort.
See the NPR Web
Site for more information.
More Volunteer
Opportunities in Texas and Louisiana. Watercraft
Humane Society Asking for Boats. Call 225-647-0712 or 415-846-7170 for more
information. Or contact the LA SPCA shelter at 9093 St. Landry Road, Gonzales, LA 70737.
More information at muttschack.org
LA Wildlife & Fisheries are no longer asking for volunteer boats because of
security concerns in the city. Call 225-765-2706 for more information.
Louisiana and Mississippi Status Updates by Parish/County
Scroll to the bottom
Live Streaming and Video
Current Weather Forecast
Animal Rescues & Adoptions
needs money, kennels, and other supplies.
Louisiana Local Shelters
St. Tammany Parish Citizens may contact Animal Services at 985-809-0183 between
8am-4:30pm or the Emergency Operations Center at 985-898-2323. If a citizen has lost a
pet, they should contact the Abita Springs Animal Service
The Lamar-Dixon Exhibition Center in Gonzales is housing and treating displaced and
injured animals.
Humane Society Disaster Animal Response Teams.
Donations accepted online or can be sent to The Humane Society of the United State, DEPT
DRFHBM, 2100 L Street NW, Washington, DC 20037.
Noah's Wish Animal Disaster Response Teams
Jackson Coliseum, Mississippi need supplies including pet food, wire, chicken
wire, leashes, water bowls, feeds for horses and pigs, hay, and medicines. Call
601.359.5130.
Volunteers needed to assist with animal disaster relief services in Mississippi.
Call 601.359.5130 to register.
National
Shelter and Animal Rescue Database
Pets with Microchips
Many hurricane animals were also found with
microchips in all the States hit by Hurricane Katrina. There are several hundred already
safely placed and need the owners to call any of the following microchip companies if you
have lost your pet.
- AVID MICROCHIP ID (THEY ALSO OWN PET NET MICROCHIP COMPANY) CALL 800 336-2843
- HOME AGAIN MICROCHIP RECOVERY CALL 866-738-4324
- VET-LINK.COM MICROCHIP 800-838-8563
Animal Rescue Telephone Contacts
Alabama
Greater Birmingham Humane Society Jackie/ Melissa
205-290-0055/682-8894
Mississippi
Mississippi Alliance 228-216-7729
Gulf Coast SPCA
228-872-5659
Mississippi Animal Rescue League (MARL)
There is a pet friendly shelter set up at the Coliseum in Jackson and run by
Mississippi Animal Rescue League (MARL) and staff of the Louisiana SPCA, who evacuated to
that area. MARL also took some animals in at its shelter. As of Tuesday morning, the two
locations were sheltering over 100 animals for evacuees. The Houston SPCA has taken in 260
animals evacuated from the Louisiana. SPCA and currently has those animals available for
adoption. Thankfully, many animal groups are rushing to assist.
We are hearing about so many tame, stray, and feral cats in threatening
circumstances, and we know that more frightened, displaced cats will be found. If you know
of cats, caregivers, or a rescue group in need, call Alley Cat Allies at 240-482-1980,
ext. 125, and ask for Vanessa or e-mail alleycat@alleycat.org. )
Louisiana
SPCA of New Orleans area: Laura 434-589-1499
Northwest
Louisiana Humane Soc. Nancy 318-219-7387504-366-8972
Humane Society of Monroe Danine
318-387-9553
Humane Society of Central Louisiana 318-641-0458
Caddo Commission
Animal Svcs. Anita Mills 318-222-6624
Lafayette Parish Animal Control 337-291-5644
Noah's Wish Foundation Teri/Roger 530-622-9313
NW Louisiana Chapter Red Cross Michelle
Davidson 318-865-9545
Confined Pets Still in Disaster Areas
Call the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine Hotline at (225) 578-9900 or
toll-free at (888) 568-5557, to leave information about the number of animals, species,
and their confined location.
Now Housed at the Parker Coliseum at LSU
Emergency Animal Shelter Hotline at
(225) 578-6111
- Metairie Small Animal Hospital
- St. Tammany Animal Shelter
- The Cat Practice (Metairie)
- Southern Animal Foundation
Animal Evacuation and Recovery Plan for New Orleans Area The Louisiana Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (LA/SPCA), the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association
(LVMA), the Louisiana Animal Control Association (LACA), and the LSU School of Veterinary
Medicine (SVM) are managing animal evacuations and recovery plans for New Orleans pets and
displaced animals.
Now Housed at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales
- Companion animals owned by people who were in Red Cross-associated evacuations
(Causeway and I-10 bus staging area)
- Stray companion animals (may include pets that escaped from homes or were otherwise
lost)
Clinics and Shelters That Need to Transfer Pets
Please call the Emergency Animal Shelter Hotline at (225) 578-6111 to arrange for
drop-off.
The LVMA is currently accepting pets at the Blackham Coliseum in Lafayette, LSU
in Shreveport, the Monroe Civic Center for small animals and the Ike Hamilton Center for
large animals in Monroe, the Farmer's Market in Alexandria, and the LSU Agriculture
Center/Parker Coliseum in Baton Rouge. Owners must be housed in a Red Cross shelter;
owners are responsible for caring for their animals, including feeding and cleaning.
Animals will be accepted 24 hours a day. Veterinarians will be on hand to handle any
medical needs.
While owners are responsible for the feeding and cleaning of their pets at the
Parker Coliseum in Baton Rouge, the SVM, along with volunteers from the Baton Rouge
Veterinary Medical Association, will provide veterinary care. If for some reason, an owner
is unable to care for a pet sheltered in the Parker Coliseum (e.g., the owner is housed in
a special needs shelter), SVM student volunteers will provide primary care, such as
feeding and cleaning. The East Baton Rouge Animal Control Center will be taking stray
animals.
The Parker Coliseum will be staffed 24 hours a day by a supervising
veterinarian and student volunteers from the School of veterinary medicine. Pets in the
Coliseum will be given physical exams and Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccinations. If a pet
requires medical attention and veterinary monitoring, it will be sent to the LSU School of
Veterinary Medicine's Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
People With Pets Who Are Evacuating New Orleans
The LA/SPCA will transport animals from pick-up points in New Orleans to the
Lamar-Dixon Expo Center. The pick-up points have not yet been determined and are
being coordinated with the agency charged with transporting people from New Orleans to
other areas.
The Lamar-Dixon Expo Center 9039 St. Landry Rd., Gonzales, La., will
serve as the primary staging area. Once the shelter is full, animals will be moved to
temporary shelters in other areas of Louisiana and Texas.
The LA/SPCA Dorothy Dorsett Mobile Veterinary Center will be at the Lamar-Dixon
Center to treat incoming animals as needed.
We have received news that an animal shelter at Blackham Coliseum in
Lafayette has been opened, right next to the Cajundome. Evacuees may bring their pets
their for housing. The shelter has PLENTY of food, water, crates, cages, bedding and
newspaper. BUT the owners are responsible for feeding, watering, walking and medicating
their own pets. Interested parties may call Lafayette Parish Animal Control at
337-291-5644 for more information.
Shelters for Animals
Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association is
accepting pets at the Blackham Coliseum in Layfayette, LSU in Shreveport,
and the Monroe Civic Center for small animals and the Ike Hamilton Center in
Monroe for large animals. Also Farmer's Market in Alexandria and LSU
Agricultural Center at Parker Coliseum in Baton Rouge.
Alexandria - Large & Small 318-442-4222 (all vet clinics will accept)
Lamar Dixon
- Gonzales - Large Animals
Shreveport - LSU-S (pets only, no livestock)
West
Monroe - Ike Hamilton Coliseum
|
|
Medical Volunteers:
HHS Medical Volunteer Line
1-866-528-6334 or volunteer.hhs.gov
NOTE: If you don't receive a response from the HHS line you may want to consider
contacting some of the other resources listed below.
American Medical Association Medical Volunteer Hotline: 1-800-272-2707.
The Red Cross suggests two options: 1) Agencies and organizations supporting
first responders and hospitals or 2) work with the Red Cross which requires
a 1-2 day training before dispatching.
The Red Cross is seeking specialists trained in several areas including congregate
living, health care and financial assistance. In addition the Red Cross is expanding its
volunteer response force to at least 40,000.
Local State Health Departments in many states are signing up medical
volunteers. Check with your state's HHS or EMS office.
- Louisiana has an urgent need for licensed medical
professionals. Physician volunteers can email eocpio@dhh.la.gov with your name, contact information,
expertise, and dates available.
- Nurses, MDs, and EMTs can call 225-578-7688 and they'll get you going. Bring a copy
of your license.
- Medical Volunteers for Louisiana and Texas: 1-225-389-2100
- Medical Volunteers
for Mississippi These numbers are in the disaster zone and may require a couple
of tries to get through
Physicians interested in volunteering in Mississippi
should e-mail or fax their name, contact information, specialty, state where they are licensed and
license numbers to reliefefforts@msbml.state.ms.us
or (601) 987-4159 or (601) 987-6822.
Biloxi Regional Medical Center staffing is being scheduled and coordinated by
Susan Jenkins, of River Oaks Hospital in Flowood, MS (Jackson metro area). Email her with
your complete details at
Susan.Jenkins@roh.hma-corp.com
Gulfport Memorial in Gulfport gives this information: Their phone for physicians and
surgeons will tell you to call the IQH. IQH has a recording advising you will be on your
own and that conditions are primitive.
1 Doctors who are licensed in Mississippi and want to volunteer may call 601.957.1575
or 1.800.844.0500
2 Doctors who are NOT licensed in Mississippi and want to volunteer are advised to go
to the Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure website at www.msbml.state.us.ms and follow instructions
there.
3 Nurses, please call 601.497.8022.(I believe this is the state board of nursing)
The recording will ask about your background and specialties, and ask you to leave
information.
4 EMT's, please call 601.576. 8085.
5 Non-professional volunteers are asked to contact the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and
other established volunteer organizations.
- Information and
Credentialing for First Responders and Medical Volunteers
- Physicians and EMTs call
601-576-8085
- Nurses and other health professionals call 601-497-8022 (information
line) or 601-944-4849 (message line)
Medical Volunteers for Alabama
Contacts and
Information for temporary medical licensing in Texas.
|
Medical Volunteer Requests
In many cases, the most effective route is to contact a source directly to coordinate help
and assess current needs. The state web sites above can provide help with temporary
licensing.
Sites Needing Nursing
(and other medically trained volunteers)
Lead officer for medical volunteers in Louisiana: Dr. Jean Takenaka, Office of
Public Health Emergency Operations Center at (225) 763-5751 or e-mail:jtakenak@dhh.la.gov.
LSU Looking for Trained Medical Volunteers. Call
225-219-0821.
LSU
Looking for medical and other supplies.
MORE WAYS TO HELP Collection points, items needed,
and more
More Volunteer
Opportunities at Craig's List New Orleans.
Medical Volunteer Waivers
For medical volunteers working in the areas under declarations of emergency HHS has waivers in
place to:
- Eliminate many conditions of participation and certification for Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP.
- Allow licensed physicians and other licensed health care providers from other states to
receive federal reimbursment in the disaster zone.
- Allow Medicare enrollees to receive out-of-network services
- Waive HIPAA privacy regulation sanctions and penalties.
More information is available at the American Medical Association web site
for medical responders including state licensing help.
Contacts and
Information for temporary medical licensing in Texas.
CDC Recommendations for
Immunizations are available online for working in the affected areas.
Alcoholics Anonymous
AA
Groups are available to provide support to anyone who needs it.
Environmental Hazards
EPA is asking for reports of all spills of hazardous
chemicals, including oil spills and other environmental hazards. Call 800-424-8802 or
202-267-2675.
Translation Language Help
LanguageVolunteers.org
is an online, searchable registry of individuals with language skills
willing to volunteer services. This registry is open to shelters,
hospitals, relief agencies, and others needing interpretation or
translation help.
Emergency Medication Refills
Emergency Medications Refills Texas and some other states will allow a
pharmacist to refill prescriptions in an emergency even if the prescribing physician can't
be reached. Schedule II controlled substances are generally excluded from this provision.
See Texas State Board of
Pharmacy.
Louisiana Board of Pharmacy announced Friday that evacuees can go to any
Wal-Mart, CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreen's or Kroger's pharmacy in Louisiana or around the
country to have their prescriptions filled.
NEW: HHS has a new web site for authorized doctors and
pharmacists to look up electronic prescription information for
survivors,
including dosages at www.katrinahealth.org.
Information was provided by: AMA, Gold Standard, the Markle Foundation,
RxHub, SureScripts, and the Louisiana and Mississippi Departments of
Health.
Crisis Hotline
National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
United Healthcare Crisis Hotline at 1-866-615-8700.
Callers can speak with counselors to help them handle the difficult emotions they may
experience such as stress, anxiety and the grieving process.
National
Mental Health Services Locator
Call the Mississippi Department of Mental Health at (601) 359-1288 for
information regarding clients evacuated in Biloxi, Gautier, and Waveland.
Rape Crisis and Domestic Violence Hotlines Call RAINN - 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
or the Domestic Violence National Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Dialysis Hotline
Call 225-387-1333 if you know of an Evacuee in Louisiana in need of dialysis.
Hospital Hotlines
Social Security Payments
Social Security beneficiaries who are victims of Hurricane Katrina can go to any
office of the federal agency or any temporary location and receive an on-the-spot payment.
See the Social Security Web Site for
more information. Some Social Security offices will be open through the weekend. Call call
1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) for more information.
Services and Help
Legal
US Legal Forms has a
page with information on replacing Social Security cards, Passports, Birth
Certificates
and other legal documents.
Order Birth Certificates Online through
VitalChek.com
The American Bar Association is setting up hotlines to assist people with
insurance claims, home repair contracts, wills and other documents, and related issues.
See: abanet.org for more
information.
Houston Volunteer Lawyer's Program will have volunteer lawyers available at
shelters and the Astrodome to assist. See: hba.org for
more information.
Dallas Legal Aid will be assisting people in that area. The Dallas Bar will
waive it's initial consultation fee for referrals for legal advice.
The New York State Bar Association fund will help victims in Louisiana,
Mississippi and Alabama pay for such services as filing insurance claims, getting death
certificates completed and applying for federal aid.
American Bar Association is recruiting lawyers to help man a phone bank and
assist people with issues related to the disaster. Contact Beth Ragan 312.988.6142 for
more information.
Red Cross Financial Help Centers
Call 1-800-975-7585 for help with financial resources and referrals to other services.
Callers will be given a client information number and instructions on how to take that number to a
local financial institution to receive funds. When you call you will need to provide:
- Your name
- Your pre-storm address
- Your zip code
- Your home telephone number
Business Help
Business
Call the SBA at 1-800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for status updates
on SBA disaster loan requests. Visit the SBA
Website for more information.
Small Business Administration (SBA) has
assistance for business owners affected by the hurricane. See sba.gov.
SEC is providing filing extensions and other relief to businesses affected by the
Hurricane.
A new Free Online New Orleans Business
Directory has been set up to allow businesses to list their contact information as
well as information for businesses affected by the disaster.
Homeland Security Immigration Enforcement will not sanction employers for hiring victims
of Hurricane Katrina who, at this time, are unable to provide I-9 documentation. DHS will not bring
sanction actions against employers for hiring individuals evacuated or displaced as a result of
Hurricane Katrina otherwise eligible for employment but who currently lack personal documents.
Unemployment Benefits
Department of Labor Unemployment Hotline is 1-866-4-USA-DOL (1-866-487-2365) or online at
dol.gov.
FEMA Hotline Number for Unemployment Benefits is
1-800-621-FEMA or TTY: 1-800-462-7585 or call your local unemployment office.
For Louisiana, people can apply for unemployment insurance and disaster relief at any
one-stop job center, online at laworks.net
or by calling toll-free numbers 1-866-783-5567 or 1-800-818-7811.
The Texas Workforce Commission is assisting workers who have lost
their jobs due to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Apply for Disaster
Unemployment Assistance (DUA) by calling 1-800-818-7811 from 8:00 a.m. to
7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Employers wishing to hire displaced
workers can call 1-800-695-6879 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.,
Monday through Friday.
Job Search Help
Food Stamps
The Department of Agriculture will allow people who normally do not qualify for Food
Stamps to receive food stamps if they fled storm-damaged areas of Alabama, Louisiana
and Mississippi. Normally, the Agriculture Department requires food stamp recipients to
requalify for the benefit if they move to another state.
Louisiana has a hotline where you
can apply for Food Stamp assistance.
Workers Compensation
Louisiana injured workers who were getting workers' compensation before the hurricane
should call 1-866-783-5567, 1-800-201-2494 or 1-800-201-3457 to update contact
information.
Taxes and IRS
IRS Disaster Tax Relief information and disaster loss kits. Available online The IRS
has extended deadlines until Oct. 31 to file tax returns and submit tax payments.
The
extension includes the Sept. 15 deadline for estimated taxes for businesses and
individuals affected by the Hurricane. NEW: The IRS has now extended deadlines
for
estimated taxes, payments, and returnes until the end of the year.
Community Voice Mail
Community Voice Mail will be providing free voice mail boxes to
Hurricane Katrina victims displaced in: Houston, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Austin,
Memphis and Atlanta. Contact the Red Cross at 1-800-GET INFO for more
information. Consider a
donation if you are able to support this service.
Banking and Mortgages
If You Are Unable to Pay Your Mortgage call your mortgage lender and notify them
as quickly as possible. Many banks and mortgage companies will accept arrangements to
delay payments three months or more during a disaster. Visit the FDIC Web Site for more
information about banking help or call 1-877-ASK-FDIC (1-877-275-3342).
Low-income residents in the affected areas who have mortgages through USDA are being
notified of a 90-day minimum moratorium on payments to reduce the financial hardship.
The FDIC has published a list of contacts for banks
that were in the affected area. You can also call the FDIC hotline for banking questions
at 1-877-ASK-FDIC.
The SEC has published a web site for those unable to contact
their investment advisors. See www.sec.gov/katrina.htm
Reverse Voice Mail Reverse Voice Mail
OmVox Telecom and Window
Canvas, both of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, have created a new toll-free communications
service, allowing family members displaced by Hurricane Katrina to communicate with one
another via "reverse voice mail."
Storm victims can call 1-877-206-7500, enter a 10-digit telephone number such as their
home, office, or cell number, and leave a 3-minute voicemail message, letting others know
of their whereabouts and safety. Family members can call 1-877-206-7500, enter the
10-digit telephone number of their loved one and listen to any messages left by missing
family members. If the line is busy, keep trying.
School Information
Resources
Guide for Teachers and Parents after a disaster.
Assistance for
School Supplies
Texas Hotline for Louisiana teachers seeking jobs is 1-800-435-7090.
Florida is waiving the cost of the teacher certification exam.
Teachers who fulfilled similar certification requirements in other states
are welcome to teach in Florida.
Arkansas Department of Education has streamlined its teacher application process
for certified teachers from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama who have relocated to
Arkansas. Call Ron Tolson at 501-682-4210 for information.
Update
on Damaged Schools for Louisiana.
Alvarez & Marsal Hotline for New Orleans Teachers 877-771-5800
or see www.alvarezandmarsalnops.com and www.louisianaschools.net. Employees
should call with their contact information as soon as possible.
Lafayette Parish in Lafayette, Louisiana. The schools are taking in students
that are displaced from Katrina
They can contact they Lafayette Parish School Board at
337-236-6838
Texas Public Schools Open to Children from Hurricane
Katrina. Texas schools will enroll children from the disaster area. Hotlines for schools in Texas.
Diocese of Baton Rouge is making room in its classes for
students from the Diocese of New Orleans. They also are offering housing to displaced
families. 225-387-0561
Georgia Tutoring
has positions available for displaced teachers.
Colleges
- New legislation allows the Secretary of Education to
provide a waiver for repaying Pell Grant funds if those students
are
forced to withdraw due to natural disaster as declared by the president.
The legislation relates only to the semesters affected by the natural
disaster.
- Board of Regents College Information Hotline: 1-866-415-2269.
- Louisiana
Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA): 800-253-5626 ext 1012.
Many
colleges are accepting students displaced by the disaster zone including these:
Help college students affected by the disaster. Hurricane Katrina Student Relief
Fund Mail checks to Hurricane Katrina Student Relief Fund, c/o LSU Foundation, 3838 W.
Lakeshore Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70808.
Cross Cultural Solutions, a partner with Care International, is
offering a $700 scholarship for students displaced by the hurricane who
are interested in participating with their international volunteer or
intern
abroad programs. See: crossculturalsolutions.org
for more information.
AAMC has resources to
assist displaced medical students and residents including assistance with
contact information, student records, and loans.
| Federal, State, and Local Agencies
Disaster Recovery Centers
Before visiting a Recovery Center, try calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1
800-462-7585 (TTY) available 24 hours per day. Multilingual operators are
available. You can also apply for assistance online at www.fema.gov
Disaster Recovery
Center Locations
National
Emergency Resource RegistryIf you or your organization, agency, or corporation
have resources that may be made available to the response agencies please list them here.
High Priority Needs
- Housing
- Transportation
- Emergency Supplies
National Institute of Governmental Purchasing Needs and Help bulletin board to coordinate
professional assistance. Or call 1(800) FOR-NIGP
- Baton Rouge
Office of Emergency Preparedness
225-389-2100
- Jefferson Parish Office of
Emergency Preparedness: (504) 349-5360
- Louisiana State Services Hotline 1-888-524-3578.
Open 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Can assist with Disaster Food Stamps, Medicaid, Wic, Mental Health
Counselling, Addictive Disorders, Developmental Disorders, Social Security Benefits,
Social Security Disability Benefits, Child Support, Foster Care, DHH State Supplement
Checks, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services, and Disaster Unemployement Benefits.
FirstGov
Katrina Recovery - Federal
Web Site with links for finding loved ones, getting help, and other information.
FEMA: Save Your Receipts
A FEMA Official has said: If you were hit with any sort of disaster-related loss, you
qualify for federal assistance. If you had to spend a night in a hotel, FEMA will cover
it. Save your receipts, keep track of everything you've bought. SOURCE: WWL-TV
NEWS
National Response Center
- 1-800-424-8802
- 1-202-267-2675
State Emergency Management Agencies
State
Agencies Directory SCROLL DOWN
Parish/County Emergency Management
City of New
Orleans
Mail Forwarding
1-800-ASK-USPS. Or online at USPS.com.
Federal
Employees can go to the OPM site to find out more about federal
retiree benefits, donations of leave, and other relief information. An
information hotline is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. M-F CST at
1-800-307-8298.
Insurance
Insurance Company
Hotlines
Update the correct number for SAFECO is (800) 332-3226
Louisiana Department of Insurance available for help 1-800-259-5300 or Online
Alabama Department of Insurance
(800) 433-3966
(334) 241-4141
Louisiana Department of Insurance
(800) 259-5300
(225) 342-5900
Mississippi Department of Insurance
(800) 562-2957
(601) 359-2453
Texas Department of Insurance
(800) 252-3439
(800) 578-4677
Georgia Department of Insurance
(800) 656-2298
(404) 656-2056
Florida Department of Insurance
(800) 882-3054
(850) 413-3131
(800)
342-2762 - (FL Only)
Tennessee Department of Insurance
(800) 342-4029
(615) 741-2241
Arkansas Department of Insurance
(800) 282-9134
(501) 371-2600
Insurance Company Contact Information
AIG: (800) 242-2418
Allstate:
(800) 547-8676
Chubb Group of Insurance Companies: (800) 252-4670
CAN: Personal
Insurance Policyholders: (800) 588-7400; Commercial Insurance Policyholders: (877)
262-2727
The Hartford: (800) 243-5860
Metlife Auto & Home: (800) 854-6011
SAFECO: (888) 723-3265
Selective Insurance: (800) 777-9656 ext. 2801; fax: (973)
948-1103 State Farm: (800) 732-5246
Travelers Property/Casualty: Personal Insurance
Policyholders: (800) 252-4633; Commercial Insurance Policyholder: 800-238-6225
USAA:
(800) 531-8222
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