The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers’ Vicksburg District has been asked by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help with Hurricane Ike cleanup, said a news release from the Corps.

A total of 23 Vicksburg District employees will be deployed to help with cleanup in the southwest Louisiana parishes of Cameron and Vermilion. Fifteen will be part of the debris planning and response team. Eight will be responsible for quality assurance. Deployments usually last 60 days.

The Corps has contracted with Environmental Chemical Corporation to manage the removal of the debris.

Ike hit Texas and Louisiana in September. It was the third most destructive hurricane to ever hit the United States and the third costliest U.S. hurricane. It was blamed for 164 deaths — 82 of those in the United States. Damages from Ike in U.S. coastal areas are estimated at $27 billion.

We welcome your news about achievements by area employees. Submit items by e-mail, postal service (P.O. Box 821668, Vicksburg, MS 39182), fax (634-0897) , or delivered in person to 1601-F N. Frontage Road by Wednesday for publication Sunday. Be sure to include your name and phone number.