Orange City Manager Dr. Shawn Oubre said 175 properties in the city limits had water inside during the recent Sabine River flood. Oubre told the Orange City Council the city staff surveyed buildings to make the assessment.
Parts of the city were under a mandatory evacuation during the week of March 13 because of the flooding. Oubre said he appreciates citizens cooperating and he encourages all businesses and citizens affected to register with FEMA or the Small Business Administration.
Assistant City Manager Jay Trahan contacted pastors at several churches to make sure people affected by the flood were getting help, Oubre said.
In addition, Oubre also thanked the council members for their support during the disaster. He said the city hopes to get FEMA reimbursement for the disaster. The federal reimbursements could be given for the overtime pay to city employees who worked at the time and the city’s cost to pick up the debris.
Oubre also said some streets that were flooded were damage and the city plans to file for FEMA money to repair the streets.
During the council comments time, District 2 Councilor Dr. Wayne Guidry said he is proud of city and the community for helping each other during the flood disaster. “It’s an amazing place,” he said. At-Large Councilor Spears also praised the local civic clubs, public organizations and city workers for their response to the flooding.
In a separate action, the council agreed to a FEMA flood buy-out of a house at 6728 Guy Lane at a price of $227,000. The house is off Martin Luther King Jr. Drive near Highway 87 North.
The city is not paying any of the money. FEMA occasionally buys houses in Orange that have had continuous flooding problems. The buy-out was in the works before the recent flood.
Last year the city agreed to a FEMA buy-out of a house on Huntwick Street.
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