Flood Recovery Resources

For comprehensive emergency preparedness and response information, visit emergency.la.gov.

REGISTER WITH FEMA

Louisiana disaster survivors are urged to register for federal disaster assistance with FEMA. The claim number for the flooding in Louisiana is 4277. When you have completed the FEMA registration, you will be assigned a FEMA registration number. This will be a 9-digit number that will start with 50 or 45. Click here for more information.

Individuals and business owners in the designated parishes who had storm or flood damage should register for “Individual Assistance” with FEMA in the following ways:

Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov
By phone at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
People who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY should call 1-800-462-7585
For those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362

The toll free telephone numbers above will operate 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until further notice.

NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM (NFIP)

If you have flood insurance, you must also file a flood insurance claim with your insurance company. The FEMA Call Center is open for policyholders who need assistance.

Everyone is urged to contact their insurance company to file their individual claims.
Call 1-800-621-3362 Monday to Friday 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. and select Option 2 for the FEMA call center. Staff will be assisting policyholders with information regarding their flood insurance policy, offer technical guidance to aid in recovery and provide answers to complicated and general questions about the NFIP.

TIPS ON USING A CONTRACTOR TO REBUILD YOUR HOME

Click here to read more about using a contractor to rebuild your home.

LEGAL HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS WITH TITLE PROBLEMS

Click here for more information about who qualifies for free help and how to get started.

HELP FOR RENTERS

With the exception of help repairing or replacing their home, both FEMA and SBA offer the same help for renters as they do homeowners. Renters may qualify to receive assistance moving into another apartment appropriate for their family size, as well as some help with transportation, replacing some household contents, such as a bed, dresser, etc. SBA provides renters with up to $40,000 in personal property replacement loans at the same low rates as for homeowners.

SBP OFFERS RECOVERY HELP TO HOMEOWNERS

SBP is the leading national disaster recovery and resilience organization. They recently opened an office in Baton Rouge to respond to the August floods. Click here to learn more and apply for assistance.

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA) LOANS FOR INDIVIDUALS

Homeowners can borrow up to $200,000 at as low as 1.56 % interest rate, term of up to 30 years, to repair or replace their primary residence, and up to a $40,000 loan is available for renters/homeowners to replace their contents. Click here for more information.

BUSINESS RECOVERY RESOURCES

The U.S. Small Business Administration, Louisiana Economic Development and Louisiana Small Business Development Centers are partnering to provide a wide range of services to businesses impacted by the severe storms and flooding at Business Recovery Centers opening in areas affected.

SBA representatives will provide information on disaster loans to help finance recovery and explain the application process. LSBDC consultants at the center will provide provide program information, answer questions and help businesses apply for this much needed financial help.

The Louisiana Department of Economic Development has set up a resource page with more information for businesses affected by the flooding, including the locations of Business Recovery Centers currently open. Click here to visit their Flood Recovery Assistance page.

DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

There is temporary monetary assistance to businesses and residents whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a result of the flooding. Click here for more information.

TAX INFORMATION & FILING AND PAYMENT RELIEF

Tax filing and payment relief are available to Louisiana taxpayers whose homes, principal places of business and critical tax records are in areas of the state declared federal disaster areas. The Department of Revenue also has posted to its website a list of frequently asked questions on potential tax issues related to disaster recovery. Click here for more information.

IRS ASSISTANCE

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is offering help to Louisiana flood survivors and their families by making loans and hardship distributions available through their employer-sponsored retirement plans. This assistance is available to participants in 401(k) plans, employees of public schools and tax-exempt organizations with 403(b) tax-sheltered annuities, as well as state and local government employees with 457(b) deferred-compensation plans. To qualify for this relief, hardship withdrawals must be made by Jan. 17, 2017.

For more information, visit http://bit.ly/laflood-irs.

DISASTER DISTRESS HELPLINE

If you are experiencing emotional distress due to the storm, call the National Disaster Distress Helpline. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is available 24/7 via telephone (1-800-985-5990) and SMS (text ‘TalkWithUs’ to 66746).