58°
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
7 Day Forecast
Follow our weather team on social media

2 On Your Side with Brittany Weiss is here for you.

Watch 2 On Your Side reports on all WBRZ News 2 newscasts: morning, noon, afternoon and evening.  Brittany Weiss is the 2 On Your Side anchor/reporter.  Check this page daily for helpful information and On Your Side reports.

Send tips to OnYourSide@wbrz.com

FEMA unit left unlocked for weeks due to maintenance backlog

DENHAM SPRINGS - FEMA tells flood victims living in manufactured housing units to call their maintenance number if there's a problem with an appliance or their unit. Some of those calls are taking weeks to answer.

Debbie Gonzalez has been sleeping in a FEMA unit that does not lock. She called for help multiple times, but got tired of waiting and contacted 2 On Your Side instead.

"So frustrating when you're just trying to get the simple things fixed that you need," she said.

The trailer was dropped off the first week of November. Gonzalez says she moved in the next month, but as soon as she got the keys she noticed a problem.

"The day they handed us the keys, actually, the doors weren't shutting right," she said.

The door never shut properly and the lock didn't work. Gonzalez said anyone could push it open including her two dogs. She began calling the 800-FEMA maintenance number on the Dec. 21. Based on her cell phone call log, she's called at least a dozen times since then.

"And nothing happens," said Gonzalez.

The lock to her FEMA unit needed to be fixed right away, so Gonzalez could have peace of mind while sleeping.

"They said, 'The only thing we can do is take the message down and get it to the appropriate person,'" she said.

She sent an email to 2 On Your Side Tuesday. The message was forwarded to FEMA and the lock was repaired three hours later.

Gonzalez said she finally got to use her keys and is happy the door shuts and locks.

FEMA tells WBRZ its focus has been delivering MHU's to people who need them. The increased number of deliveries has resulted in a backlog of maintenance issues. Last week, FEMA says it met with its contractor to discuss methods of increasing maintenance response while continuing to expedite MHU deliveries. In addition, the contractor has indicated it will be increasing staffing.

FEMA says heating, cooling and plumbing issues will be put first and expects to see faster responses as the backlog of maintenance work orders is completed.

The maintenance number for FEMA is 800-335-8546.

Grid
List
DENHAM SPRINGS - FEMA tells flood victims living in manufactured housing units to call their maintenance number if there's a... More >>
7 years ago Tuesday, January 03 2017 Jan 3, 2017 Tuesday, January 03, 2017 5:54:00 PM CST January 03, 2017 in News
WALKER - With every rain fall comes a looming problem for residents living in Suburban Acres. Water overflows the banks... More >>
7 years ago Monday, January 02 2017 Jan 2, 2017 Monday, January 02, 2017 10:52:00 PM CST January 02, 2017 in News
BATON ROUGE - Flood victims continue to feel frustration when it comes to mortgage companies releasing their insurance money. Some... More >>
7 years ago Friday, December 30 2016 Dec 30, 2016 Friday, December 30, 2016 5:49:00 PM CST December 30, 2016 in News
DENHAM SPRINGS - A property owner in Livingston Parish says DEMCO is tearing up his land, but DEMCO says it... More >>
7 years ago Wednesday, December 28 2016 Dec 28, 2016 Wednesday, December 28, 2016 5:46:00 PM CST December 28, 2016 in News
CENTRAL - A woman who was upset after FEMA promised that her approved housing unit would arrive "any day" says... More >>
7 years ago Friday, December 23 2016 Dec 23, 2016 Friday, December 23, 2016 4:50:00 PM CST December 23, 2016 in News
CENTRAL - FEMA says it expects to have everyone who has been approved for a Manufactured Housing Unit, in one... More >>
7 years ago Thursday, December 22 2016 Dec 22, 2016 Thursday, December 22, 2016 6:52:00 PM CST December 22, 2016 in News
DENHAM SPRINGS: A man's prayers were answered but somewhere along the line the result got lost in translation. Gene... More >>
7 years ago Wednesday, December 21 2016 Dec 21, 2016 Wednesday, December 21, 2016 5:37:00 PM CST December 21, 2016 in News
BATON ROUGE - Homeowners continue to put their flood-damaged homes up for sale. Terry Martin, who lives off of... More >>
7 years ago Tuesday, December 20 2016 Dec 20, 2016 Tuesday, December 20, 2016 5:07:00 PM CST December 20, 2016 in News
DENHAM SPRINGS - A woman trying to rebuild after the flood says FEMA has her stuck. Her manufactured housing unit... More >>
7 years ago Monday, December 19 2016 Dec 19, 2016 Monday, December 19, 2016 5:00:00 PM CST December 19, 2016 in News
LIVINGSTON PARISH - A man hired to build the stairs and and porches for FEMA's Manufactured Housing Units says he... More >>
7 years ago Friday, December 16 2016 Dec 16, 2016 Friday, December 16, 2016 5:10:00 PM CST December 16, 2016 in On Your Side
BATON ROUGE - Increased traffic over the years on Jefferson Highway may be putting children at one day care at... More >>
7 years ago Thursday, December 15 2016 Dec 15, 2016 Thursday, December 15, 2016 4:59:00 PM CST December 15, 2016 in On Your Side
BATON ROUGE - A property up for sale at Florida Blvd and Sherwood Forest Blvd has become a parking lot... More >>
7 years ago Wednesday, December 14 2016 Dec 14, 2016 Wednesday, December 14, 2016 6:47:00 PM CST December 14, 2016 in News
BATON ROUGE - Stealing other people's presents is becoming a not so Merry Christmas tradition. Online shopping may be... More >>
7 years ago Tuesday, December 13 2016 Dec 13, 2016 Tuesday, December 13, 2016 5:16:00 PM CST December 13, 2016 in News
HOLDEN - Some days, a woman says she's stuck in her own home because she can't make it out of... More >>
7 years ago Friday, December 09 2016 Dec 9, 2016 Friday, December 09, 2016 10:56:40 PM CST December 09, 2016 in News
BATON ROUGE - If you live in East Baton Rouge Parish, you might have noticed your property bills are late.... More >>
7 years ago Thursday, December 08 2016 Dec 8, 2016 Thursday, December 08, 2016 9:01:05 PM CST December 08, 2016 in News
CENTRAL - A homeowner thought he was covered by insurance when his home flooded in August. Now he's learned that's... More >>
7 years ago Wednesday, December 07 2016 Dec 7, 2016 Wednesday, December 07, 2016 5:34:00 PM CST December 07, 2016 in News
BATON ROUGE - A flood victim says she was pre-approved for an Small Business Administration loan, but now is being... More >>
7 years ago Tuesday, December 06 2016 Dec 6, 2016 Tuesday, December 06, 2016 5:31:00 PM CST December 06, 2016 in News
BATON ROUGE - A flood victim says she's been denied continued rental assistance from FEMA. While Anne Duvall repairs... More >>
7 years ago Monday, December 05 2016 Dec 5, 2016 Monday, December 05, 2016 5:17:00 PM CST December 05, 2016 in On Your Side
DENHAM SPRINGS - Residents living in Westminster Estates say they're tired of smelling sewage. They say it's coming from a... More >>
8 years ago Monday, November 21 2016 Nov 21, 2016 Monday, November 21, 2016 5:37:00 PM CST November 21, 2016 in News
BATON ROUGE - Some AT&T customers say they have received bills in the mail for their flooded equipment. Becky... More >>
8 years ago Wednesday, November 16 2016 Nov 16, 2016 Wednesday, November 16, 2016 5:14:00 PM CST November 16, 2016 in News
BATON ROUGE - Thousands of people are still trying to figure out where they'll live since their homes were destroyed... More >>
8 years ago Tuesday, November 15 2016 Nov 15, 2016 Tuesday, November 15, 2016 5:50:00 PM CST November 15, 2016 in News
BATON ROUGE - There's confusion over whether to rebuild or wait in one subdivision. Residents began getting the green... More >>
8 years ago Monday, November 14 2016 Nov 14, 2016 Monday, November 14, 2016 5:34:00 PM CST November 14, 2016 in News
BATON ROUGE - A Baton Rouge man says he's learned a lesson and he'll double check his bills from now... More >>
8 years ago Thursday, November 10 2016 Nov 10, 2016 Thursday, November 10, 2016 5:16:00 PM CST November 10, 2016 in News
ZACHARY - A family says they're losing hope since they have been waiting for their FEMA trailer since the first... More >>
8 years ago Wednesday, November 09 2016 Nov 9, 2016 Wednesday, November 09, 2016 6:15:00 PM CST November 09, 2016 in News
INDEPENDENCE - A flood victim says his mortgage company held onto his insurance money, instead of issuing it to him... More >>
8 years ago Thursday, November 03 2016 Nov 3, 2016 Thursday, November 03, 2016 11:03:00 PM CDT November 03, 2016 in News
ST. AMANT - There's a warning to watch out for online scams, especially ahead of the holidays. One man says... More >>
8 years ago Wednesday, November 02 2016 Nov 2, 2016 Wednesday, November 02, 2016 5:30:00 PM CDT November 02, 2016 in News
DENHAM SPRINGS - A growing hole in a front yard was repaired again, after calls to 2 On Your Side... More >>
8 years ago Tuesday, November 01 2016 Nov 1, 2016 Tuesday, November 01, 2016 5:23:00 PM CDT November 01, 2016 in News
BATON ROUGE - Officials have announced trick-or-treat times for residents for Halloween. Some areas for trick-or-treating may be closed due... More >>
8 years ago Monday, October 31 2016 Oct 31, 2016 Monday, October 31, 2016 5:07:00 PM CDT October 31, 2016 in News
BATON ROUGE - It's not uncommon to see a person running or jogging, especially on a beautiful day. Many people,... More >>
8 years ago Thursday, October 27 2016 Oct 27, 2016 Thursday, October 27, 2016 4:51:49 PM CDT October 27, 2016 in News
BATON ROUGE - A few things have changed this election, following the August flood. Polling places are moved and the... More >>
8 years ago Tuesday, October 25 2016 Oct 25, 2016 Tuesday, October 25, 2016 5:50:00 PM CDT October 25, 2016 in News
SLAUGHTER - Sewage drains from homes in one East Feliciana Parish community into ditches but Elnora Carter said Monday, her... More >>
8 years ago Monday, October 24 2016 Oct 24, 2016 Monday, October 24, 2016 6:03:00 PM CDT October 24, 2016 in News
BATON ROUGE – About two dozen soldiers with the Cajun Army gathered for a prayer vigil at the State Capitol... More >>
8 years ago Sunday, October 23 2016 Oct 23, 2016 Sunday, October 23, 2016 7:56:00 PM CDT October 23, 2016 in News
BATON ROUGE - One person who flooded in August says she found termites in her gutted home. Veronica Berteaux says... More >>
8 years ago Friday, October 21 2016 Oct 21, 2016 Friday, October 21, 2016 1:58:00 PM CDT October 21, 2016 in News
DENHAM SPRINGS - Many people are still waiting to get into their manufactured housing units following the August flood. Some... More >>
8 years ago Wednesday, October 19 2016 Oct 19, 2016 Wednesday, October 19, 2016 4:55:00 PM CDT October 19, 2016 in News
BATON ROUGE – Both Ascension and East Baton Rouge parishes announced Wednesday the final days for flood debris pickup. ... More >>
8 years ago Wednesday, October 19 2016 Oct 19, 2016 Wednesday, October 19, 2016 2:14:00 PM CDT October 19, 2016 in News
BATON ROUGE - FEMA extended it's checkout date for disaster survivors staying in hotels, but many hotels are booked solid.... More >>
8 years ago Tuesday, October 18 2016 Oct 18, 2016 Tuesday, October 18, 2016 6:21:00 PM CDT October 18, 2016 in News
DENHAM SPRINGS - A flood victim caught in an expensive stalemate with his mortgage company received half of the insurance... More >>
8 years ago Monday, October 17 2016 Oct 17, 2016 Monday, October 17, 2016 5:44:00 PM CDT October 17, 2016 in News
BATON ROUGE - A woman is worried her yard will be washed away. After multiple pleas with the city, she's... More >>
8 years ago Friday, October 14 2016 Oct 14, 2016 Friday, October 14, 2016 4:42:00 PM CDT October 14, 2016 in News
BATON ROUGE - A Two On Your Side story earlier this week got many viewers talking. WBRZ highlighted an issue... More >>
8 years ago Thursday, October 13 2016 Oct 13, 2016 Thursday, October 13, 2016 5:32:00 PM CDT October 13, 2016 in News
BATON ROUGE - There's been more than 1,000 calls to investigators concerning fraud from the flood. As more homes... More >>
8 years ago Wednesday, October 12 2016 Oct 12, 2016 Wednesday, October 12, 2016 5:59:00 PM CDT October 12, 2016 in News
BATON ROUGE – Residents who need FEMA assistance after August’s historic flooding have until Nov. 14 to apply for individual... More >>
8 years ago Wednesday, October 12 2016 Oct 12, 2016 Wednesday, October 12, 2016 4:28:00 PM CDT October 12, 2016 in News
ZACHARY - While many have noticed higher utility bills in September and October since usage was estimated when meter readers... More >>
8 years ago Tuesday, October 11 2016 Oct 11, 2016 Tuesday, October 11, 2016 5:48:00 PM CDT October 11, 2016 in News
BATON ROUGE – The East Baton Rouge Metro Council approved temporary voting locations for 38 precincts at 19 polling locations... More >>
8 years ago Monday, October 10 2016 Oct 10, 2016 Monday, October 10, 2016 3:15:00 PM CDT October 10, 2016 in News
BATON ROUGE – It’s been a slow agonizing process. And Linda Randall is tired of waiting. The debris sitting... More >>
8 years ago Thursday, October 06 2016 Oct 6, 2016 Thursday, October 06, 2016 6:50:00 PM CDT October 06, 2016 in News
BATON ROUGE - A family is at odds with their landlord since they don't feel it's safe to live in... More >>
8 years ago Tuesday, October 04 2016 Oct 4, 2016 Tuesday, October 04, 2016 5:30:00 PM CDT October 04, 2016 in News
BATON ROUGE - The owner of a pickup truck is caught in the middle of a fight after her truck... More >>
8 years ago Monday, October 03 2016 Oct 3, 2016 Monday, October 03, 2016 4:50:00 PM CDT October 03, 2016 in News
BATON ROUGE – FEMA officials are urging flood victims to appeal their decision if they disagree with their determination letter... More >>
8 years ago Friday, September 30 2016 Sep 30, 2016 Friday, September 30, 2016 2:00:00 PM CDT September 30, 2016 in News
DENHAM SPRINGS - A man has been trying to get answers about his manufactured housing unit for the past week... More >>
8 years ago Thursday, September 29 2016 Sep 29, 2016 Thursday, September 29, 2016 11:11:00 PM CDT September 29, 2016 in News
BATON ROUGE – The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office is warning residents of a phone scam asking bank users for... More >>
8 years ago Thursday, September 29 2016 Sep 29, 2016 Thursday, September 29, 2016 10:01:00 AM CDT September 29, 2016 in News
BATON ROUGE - A large hole in the ground has some people upset, saying it's bad for business. The hole... More >>
8 years ago Wednesday, September 28 2016 Sep 28, 2016 Wednesday, September 28, 2016 9:29:00 PM CDT September 28, 2016 in News

News tip form