FEMA To Cover Hotel Costs For Evacuees

Aid Available To Evacuees Whose Homes Remain Uninhabitable

UPDATED: 7:17 pm PDT September 4, 2008

NEW ORLEANS -- A Federal Emergency Management official said Hurricane Gustav evacuees whose homes remain uninhabitable -- because of power outages, damage or for other reasons related to the storm -- can have their hotel costs paid by FEMA.

Hurricane Tracker | Hurricane Special Section

David Garratt, a deputy assistant administrator for FEMA, said Thursday night that the aid won't be available for short-term evacuees who fled the storm, spent a few nights in a hotel, then returned home.

Rather, it will be for Gustav-related "extended stays" in hotels.

As outlined by Garratt, the program will cover those still out of their homes as of Wednesday because their home is uninhabitable. It will pay their hotel costs as long as their home is considered uninhabitable for up to 30 days from that date.

Previous Stories:

September 1, 2008: Bush Says Gustav Response Has Been 'Excellent'
September 1, 2008: Gustav Weakens To Tropical Storm
September 1, 2008: Bush Calls Gustav 'Serious Event'
September 1, 2008: Waves Overtop Canal As Gustav Hits Land
August 31, 2008: First Gustav Rains Fall On New Orleans
August 31, 2008: NOLA Mayor Calls For Evacuations
August 29, 2008: Gulf Braces For Evacuations As Gustav Looms
August 29, 2008: Gustav Bears Down On Jamaica
August 28, 2008: New Orleans Businesses Prepared For Gustav
August 28, 2008: Gustav Won't Stop Louisiana RNC Delegation
August 28, 2008: No Mercy For Price Gouging In Mississippi
August 28, 2008: Southern Coast Anxious Under Gustav Threat
August 27, 2008: Government Issues Gustav Travel Warning

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