Isaac damaged at least 13,000 Louisiana homes

At least 13,000 homes in Louisiana were damaged by Hurricane Isaac, a state emergency official reports today, offering the first glimpse of the reach of the storm that made landfall a week ago. A spokeswoman for the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness says the preliminary figures are based on an initial review of communities with flooding and wind damage. “We do expect that this number could rise after FEMA completes house-by-house inspections as residents register for individual assistance,” says Christina Stephens. If the number of people who have requested FEMA assistance offers a guide, the tally of damaged homes could end up being much higher than 13,000. Nearly 95,000 people have signed up for individual aid from FEMA, for grants to help repair homes and replace storm-wrecked belongings, according to data provided by Gov. Bobby Jindal’s office. The assistance for homeowners, renters and businesses was available in the 10 hardest-hit parishes, including Ascension and Livingston parishes. Not all of those who register will necessarily be eligible for aid.