The Entergy Hurricane Relief Fund has announced $700,000 in grants to 39 nonprofits helping victims of hurricanes Gustav and Ike rebuild their lives and communities after the devastating storms.

Louisiana groups received 20 grants totaling $430,000 and 19 Texas agencies were awarded $270,000 from the fund. The fund was created by Entergy Corp. and the Foundation for the Mid South in the days after the storms hit Entergy's service territory less than two weeks apart in September.

The storms knocked out power to more than 1.6 million Entergy customers. Winds and flooding damaged thousands of homes and businesses in communities from south Louisiana to the upper Texas coast.

"We targeted funding groups that will have an impact on the long-term economic health and viability of the communities hit hardest by the storms," said Patty Riddlebarger, director of corporate social responsibility.

"Too many of our customers and neighbors are still struggling to recover from Ike," said Joe Domino, president and chief executive officer of Entergy Texas, Inc. "We hope these grants will help as they rebuild their homes and their lives."

Renae Conley, president and chief executive officer of Entergy Louisiana, LLC and Entergy Gulf States Utilities Louisiana, L.L.C., said, "After two such devastating storms, one of our goals was to work with our community partners to reach out to our customers who needed the most help getting back on their feet.

"The agencies receiving these grants are doing tremendous work, and we're humbled by their determination to help those in need," she said.

The agencies receiving the grants were selected by a committee chosen by the Foundation for the Mid South. The agencies range from Habitat for Humanity in Jefferson County, Texas, to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans.