ST. LANDRY PARISH, la. (KLFY) — In the peak of hurricane season, St. Landry Parish President Jessie Bellard really wants to take steps to make sure the parish is ready for storms whenever they arrive.

“We just stay ready, especially this time of the year, and the municipalities know what they can count on us for.” Bellard said. “And we want to just take that same message and bring it down and do what we have to do for our people and our parish.”

To make sure everyone is on the same page in that planning process, Bellard hosted a mayor’s meeting with all of the mayors and community leaders across St. Landry Parish at the Delta Grand. With the focus being on coordination with FEMA.

Bellard and Director of Emergency Preparedness, Van Reed, informed the officials there are new disaster thresholds for states and parishes to meet in order to receive funding from FEMA.

FEMA officials are aiming to accelerate the response process, Bellard said officials must pay attention to detail; recording all assets, equipment, labor and materials used in storm recovery to ensure the threshold can be met, while also meeting the accelerated 30-day deadline.

“So if the parish doesn’t meet the threshold and we don’t get the money.” Bellard said. “And even if we get to get to that threshold, if the state doesn’t get to it, then nobody gets any money. We’re just encouraging every one of them to make sure to turn in their paperwork on time so we can better accommodate everybody in the parish.”

Bellard said by everyone coming together to share resources and strengthen communication, they’re ensuring that every community in the parish is ready to face potential storms.

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