According to recent press releases and their web site, the U.S. Small Business Administration provides low interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, non-profit organizations to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery & equipment, inventory and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster.  For more information on these services, visit http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/

September 18, 2008
Scores of churches in southern Louisiana have been damaged as a result of hurricanes Gustav and Ike. These churches are in desperate need of assistance to clean-up, fix-up, and in some cases, totally rebuild. To offer assistance to these churches, please contact the corresponding associational office. View preliminary report of major damage churches.

As of September 11, 2008 - click title for update.

September 8, 2008
Click title to see current activity totals

Governor Jindal announced September 6, 2008 that FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers have launched their “Operation Blue Roof Program” to provide tarps to those residents with less than 50 percent of structural damage. FEMA reports that Hurricane Gustav cause damage to an estimated 25,000 roofs in the state.

The following parishes are covered under the Blue Roof program: Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Lafourche, Livingston, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Martin, St. Mary, Terrebone, and West Baton Rouge. Through the program, the tarp will be installed free of charge. Citizens can call for more information on how to use this program: 1-888-ROOF-BLU (1-888-766-3258).

Information from Governor Jindal’s Update on Hurricane Gustav Response Efforts:  http://emergency.louisiana.gov/Releases/090608JindaUpdate.html

September 8, 2008

Southern Baptist disaster relief teams from at least 15 states remain onsite ministering to victims of Hurricane Gustav throughout Louisiana.  Through these units, Southern Baptists are providing meals, showers, vehicles, clean water, tree removal, and chaplaincy services to aid in the physical, emotional, and spiritual recovery of Louisiana.  Read More...

September 5, 2008
Multiple LBC Disaster Relief units have been dispatched across the southern portions of Louisiana.  Included in the dispatch are feeding units, shower units, laundry units and chainsaw crews.  Click title above to see a listing of primary locations.

The Baptist Building will reopen Friday, 9-5-08, for all employees who can come in. If you are still under hardship and cannot make it in, we certainly understand. For all of those who have had power restored and can make it in, we ask that you do so. Please contact your Team Leaders and let them know your status and plans.

• LBC Committees—Notice of change for meetings
• Crisis Response Center at the Baptist Building
• Normal operations of the Baptist Building are suspended on Thursday, September 4

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Due to clean-up efforts needed around Central Louisiana, the LBC Offices will be closed September 3, 2008.  Keep watching www.LBC.org for additional information.

August 29, 2008

As Hurricane Gustav makes for the Gulf, Louisiana Baptist Convention is praying for the best and preparing for the worst. The state convention coordinates the disaster relief units manned by Southern Baptist volunteers. The Southern Baptist disaster relief units work in concert with the American Red Cross.
Today, the Louisiana Baptist Convention disaster relief units began the staging preparations along the I-10, I-12 corridor, with additional units on stand-by in northern Louisiana.