NEW ORLEANS -- A Federal Emergency Management official said Hurricane Gustav evacuees whose homes remain uninhabitable -- because of power outages, damage or for other reasons related to the storm -- can have their hotel costs paid by FEMA.

Hurricane Tracker | Hurricane Special Section

David Garratt, a deputy assistant administrator for FEMA, said Thursday night that the aid won't be available for short-term evacuees who fled the storm, spent a few nights in a hotel, then returned home.

Rather, it will be for Gustav-related "extended stays" in hotels.

As outlined by Garratt, the program will cover those still out of their homes as of Wednesday because their home is uninhabitable. It will pay their hotel costs as long as their home is considered uninhabitable for up to 30 days from that date.