Beyond the Flood (2016)
Louisiana Public Square

Details
Collection:LPB
Genre: Panel
Place Covered: Louisiana
Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority
Date Issued: 2016-11-16
Duration: 00:58:01
Subjects: Filmed panel discussions | Floods, 2016 | Natural Disasters | Disaster response and recovery | United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency | Small business
Contributors:
- Courtney, Beth Host
- Courtney, Bob Host
- Gautreaux, Kevin Producer
- Spires, Kelly Producer
- Pendarvis, Albert Interviewee
- Payer, Julie Baxter Interviewee
- Robideaux, Joel Interviewee
- Berggren, Wayne Interviewee
- Doughty, Ashley Speaker
- Doughty, Judy Speaker
- Simmons, Kristy P. Speaker
- Bates, Jabaca Speaker
- Watts, Julie Esposito Speaker
- Giambrone, Chandra Speaker
- Kendrick, Dorothy Speaker
- Tingle, Casey Speaker
- Browning, Butch Speaker
- Luzier, Marian Speaker
- Olivier, Michael Speaker
- Chauvin, Carey Speaker
- Scott, Bailey Speaker
- Rickard, Wayne Panelist
- Dejoie, Ava Panelist
- Knapp, Adam Panelist
- Forbes, Pat Panelist
Description
This episode of the series “Louisiana Public Square” from November 16, 2016, features Bob Courtney leading a discussion between the audience members and panelists on the recovery efforts following the historic flooding in south Louisiana. A background report, including an interview with Lafayette Mayor-President Joel Robideaux, precedes the discussion. The audience members, both homeowners and renters, discuss their challenges in recovering from the flood. A panel of experts then joins the audience to answer their questions. The panelists are: Wayne Rickard, a federal disaster recovery coordinator with FEMA; Ava Dejoie, the executive director of the Louisiana Workforce Commission; Adam Knapp, the president of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber and a member of the Restore Louisiana Task Force; and Pat Forbes, the executive director of the Louisiana Office of Community Development. They discuss: the status of the recovery; the flood’s impact on fire services; the reassessment of the property values for flooded homes; the distribution process for the $438 million the state received in federal disaster aid; the difficult recovery process for small businesses; the assistance available to workers who lost their jobs due to the flood; the possibility for assistance for homeowners who have to elevate their homes; assistance for the elderly; the unique elements of this recovery effort; preventing fraud; and FEMA assistance. Hosts: Beth Courtney and Bob Courtney