BATON ROUGE, La. — The federal government has agreed to cover all the recovery costs in 14 parishes affected by Hurricane Ike through most of October, a move that saves the state and parishes millions.

"This is good news and a positive step forward in the recovery efforts for these parishes," Gov. Bobby Jindal said in a statement Wednesday.

Traditionally, the Federal Emergency Management Agency pays 75 percent of disaster response costs and states pay the rest. Jindal had asked either Congress or the White House to waive the state's cost-share, similar to what was done after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Though it came ashore in Texas on Sept. 13, Ike's powerful storm surge inundated coastal communities from one end of the state to the other. State government's response to Ike has been estimated to cost at least $127.9 million and rising. It's unclear how much the parishes have paid in response efforts.

"The 100 percent federal cost share is incredibly important to providing our communities, people, and businesses with the support they need to get back on their feet," Jindal said.

Jindal said the cost-share decision is retroactive to Sept. 14 and runs through Oct. 25. It will cover all immediate storm response costs during that time.

The affected parishes are: Acadia, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Iberia, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafourche, Plaquemines, Sabine, St. Mary, Terrebonne, Vermilion and Vernon.

Jindal said the state is continuing to work with Congress and the White House on securing a cost-share arrangement for the state's response to Hurricane Gustav, which struck Louisiana Sept. 1. Costs associated with that storm have been estimated at $383.9 million.

The governor also wants 100 percent cost-share for the long-term rebuilding costs for both Gustav and Ike, such as permanent repairs to state and parish buildings.

"We know it took Congress to act to grant us 100 percent federal cost share in 2005, and we continue to work with our delegation and the (Bush) administration to provide us this vital assistance," he said.

FEMA has not responded to the state's request for full assistance for Ike relief in Allen, Bienville, Concordia, DeSoto, Red River, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany and Union parishes.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

© 2008 The Associated Press
© 2008 The Houston Chronicle