FEMA is spending $8.4 million on making a hospital in eastern New Orleans safer should a hurricane hit it.
U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., announced Thursday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency grant will be spent on the new facility.
With the money, the east tower of the hospital will be strengthened to withstand winds over 130 miles per hour. Also, important electrical equipment will be raised so it doesn't get damaged in the event of a flood. A back-up generator will be bought with the money too.
Landrieu says the work will make it safer for patients who can't evacuate to be housed at the hospital.
Mayor Mitch Landrieu's administration is working on getting the hospital open in the site of the former Pendleton Memorial Methodist Hospital.