While St. Louis Catholic High School is still mostly operating out of temporary buildings, a recent funding obligation from FEMA is a sign of progress.

At the end of March, the office of U.S. Congressman Clay Higgins, R-La., announced a FEMA reward of $2,355,088.57 in federal grants to St. Louis. This funding is available through the major disaster declaration for hurricane recovery, which has obligated almost $3 billion in individual assistance, public assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program dollars.

According to the Rev. Jeffrey Starkovich, Diocese of Lake Charles spokesperson and pastor of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Ragley, nearly every facility at St. Louis has been declared damaged beyond repair.

The main building and both gyms suffered severe wind and water incursion damages, major roof damage and structural damage. This damage led to the destruction of content in the main building, such as supplies and furniture. The covered walkway and sprinkler storages were also damaged.

Wind and water damages to the athletic building and sports field are repairable.

Originally, FEMA obligated $268,657.68 in funding to cover the temporary facilities. Now, the grant obligation sits at $5,391.497.43, funded at 90 percent. The recently announced funding of $2.3 million is a portion of this larger grant.

The state Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness has reimbursed $214,926.10 of this grant; $300,000 has been obligated for architectural fees.

As of March, GOHSEP has reimbursed a total of $2,406,638.65.

The total amount expended by the Diocese of Lake Charles at St. Louis High School is about $7.4 million.

Based on current damage assessments, the cost of repairs will total about $36 million, Starkovich said. The Diocese and St. Louis plan to replace every building.

“Since most of the buildings have been destroyed, it has been determined that the most cost-effective restoration would be a replacement of the whole campus,” he said.

Across the Diocese, there was over $150 million in damages. The total FEMA obligation is still in process, “as the Diocese awaits FEMA validation of all destruction and damages across all parishes, schools and diocesan entities.”