Daily Real Estate News  |  September 12, 2005  |   Katrina: La. REALTORS® Say, 'They'll be Back' Hurricane Katrina caused unprecedented damage to Louisiana, but REALTORS® in the state say "they will be back." According to Norman Morris, vice president of governmental affairs for the Louisiana Association of REALTORS®, the association is working to help "as many members and citizens as it can right now," particularly those most affected in the New Orleans area. "Many have lost their homes and their businesses," Morris says. "We're working to try to get them temporary shelter and, eventually, permanent shelter." LAR also has extended a hand to those members who need to relocate their businesses temporarily while their cities and neighborhoods are rebuilt. As part of that effort, LAR is spreading the word about a new Web site at www.hurricanehousing.net, which connects affected members with available rental property throughout the state and nationwide. HurricaneHousing.net was initiated by a group of Louisiana REALTORS®, who turned to LAR, technology experts from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Disaster Housing Resources, and the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® to set up the online venue. LAR's Web site also features information about the Federal Emergency Management Agency, locating missing friends and relatives, and other hurricane-related topics. Morris is confident in the strength of the state's REALTORS® and the markets that they serve—New Orleans in particular—but says rebuilding will take time. "Getting back to 'normalcy' is going to be a long road," says Morris. "We'll come back, but it's definitely going to take some time." Hurricane Katrina Coverage Main Page To read more Hurricane Katrina coverage, go to REALTOR.org. —By Bridget McCrea for REALTOR® Magazine Online