Local Updates on South Louisiana Flooding

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Posted August 18th:

FEMA Assistance for Lafayette Parish, Requirements During Cleanup

 

Lafayette Parish residents who were affected by the recent floods may now be eligible for assistance from FEMA. Anyone who was impacted by flooding should register with FEMA, including individuals who are already covered by a flood insurance policy.

 

Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG) was notified on Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at 9 a.m. that Lafayette Parish was included in the federal disaster declaration. This federal declaration for the parish triggered the opening of the FEMA individual assistance program for affected residents.

 

All affected individuals, regardless if they are covered by flood insurance, should register damage by one of the following methods:

• https://www.disasterassistance.gov
• 1-800-621-3362
• TTY: 1-800-462-7585

 

LCG is working with federal officials to establish a local FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) for individuals to register in person for federal assistance, with details forthcoming on the location and hours of operation. Flood victims need not visit the DRC if they are able to register with FEMA online or by phone. Individuals who registered before Lafayette Parish was included in the official declaration need not register again. Individuals who made damage claims with the local office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (HSEP) must register directly with FEMA to be eligible for any federal assistance. Making a claim with the Lafayette HSEP does not qualify individuals to receive FEMA assistance.

 

It may be safe for individuals to begin some demolition, including removing damaged sheetrock and insulation. However, before any repair work begins, such as replacement of sheetrock, the Codes Division must be contacted for permitting and inspection as necessary. (See contact information for the Codes Division below.)

 

As cleanup efforts continue, residents, businesses, and property owners are reminded to purchase the proper permits for flood damage repair and reconstruction. In most cases a minimal residential repair permit is all that is required and can be obtained at the Clifton Chenier Center at 220 W. Willow St., Bld. B. Substantially damaged homes will be subject to additional requirements and permitting.

 

Citizens who have experienced flood damage should follow the tips below to document the loss to property, as well as tips to rebuild:

• If you have flood insurance, contact your insurance company for guidance on filing a claim.
• Anyone impacted by flooding should register with FEMA at 800-621-FEMA (800-621-3362).
• Be prepared to provide the name of property owner, address of damaged property, if the property is covered by flood insurance, the amount of water in the building and approximate cost to repair to pre-flood condition.
• Take photos of all damage to property prior to repairs or cleanup.
• Call the LCG Codes Division at 337-291-8461 for inspection prior to replacing any sheetrock or wall covering or with any questions.
• Contact the LCG Codes Division at 337-291-8461 to obtain permits prior to repair or reconstruction.
• Save all receipts for work done and all materials purchased.
• Use only state licensed and registered contractors for any repairs.

 

For more information on FEMA visit www.disasterassistance.gov.
For more information on LCG’s Codes Division visit www.lafayettela.gov/pzd/codes.

 

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Posted August 16th:

Additional Parishes Added to Federal Disaster Declaration

BATON ROUGE – Gov. John Bel Edwards’ request that President Barack Obama expand the existing federal declaration for the state of Louisiana to include additional parishes has been granted. These eight additional parishes were included in Gov. Edwards’ initial request for a federal disaster declaration but required additional data.

The eight newly approved parishes include:

• Acadia
• Ascension
• East Feliciana
• Iberia
• Lafayette
• Pointe Coupee
• St. Landry
• Vermilion

“I have traveled to the impacted parishes and met with families dealing with devastating loss due to this historic flood event,” said Gov. Edwards. “I am grateful that the federal government has added additional parishes to this disaster declaration. We are traveling the state with FEMA representatives who are constantly collecting data on the damage, and we will continuously update our request to add more parishes as needed. I am optimistic that more parishes will be approved as we work around the clock to ensure every resource is available to the people of Louisiana.”

Yesterday, on Aug. 15, Gov. Edwards submitted additional information for eight additional parishes to be added to the Major Disaster Declaration from the federal government. On Aug. 14, Gov. Edwards requested that President Barack Obama declare a major disaster for 21 Louisiana parishes. Four parish requests were granted in the initial declaration – East Baton Rouge, Livingston, St. Helena and Tangipahoa, the first parishes in the state struck by high water. Additional parishes will continuously be added to the declaration on a rolling basis.

The 21 initially requested parishes include:

• Allen
• Ascension
• Avoylles
• East Baton Rouge
• East Feliciana
• Iberia
• Iverville
• Jefferson Davis
• Lafayette
• Livingston
• Pointe Capee
• St. Helena
• St. Landry
• St. Martin
• St. Tammany
• Tangipahoa
• Vermilion
• Washington

Since Saturday, Aug. 13, Gov. Edwards has traveled the state with officials to assess the damage, including traveling with a FEMA representative who could provide immediate feedback to the federal government.

Additional parish requests will be made in the coming days.

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Posted August 15th:

Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG) Offers Guidance to Those Affected by Flood Waters

As Lafayette Parish moves into the recovery phase following the recent flooding, the assessment of damage is critical for individual property owners as well as the parish as a whole. Citizens who have experienced flood damage should follow the tips below to document the loss to property, as well as tips to rebuild:

• Anyone impacted by flooding should register with FEMA at 800-621-FEMA (800-621-3362). This includes residents of parishes that have not yet been included as a federally declared disaster. Note, hold times may exceed 30 minutes when calling due to the high volume of calls.
• Be prepared to provide the name of property owner, address of damaged property, if the property is covered by flood insurance, the amount of water in the building and approximate cost to repair to pre-flood condition.
• If you currently have flood insurance, contact your insurance company for guidance on filing a claim.
• Take photos of all damage to property prior to repairs or cleanup.
• Save all receipts for work done and all materials purchased.
• Use only state licensed and registered contractors for any repairs.
• Purchase permits prior to repair or reconstruction. Contact the LCG Codes Division at 337-291-8461 for assistance.

Parish Damage Assessment and Federal Assistance
Lafayette Parish officials are currently making every effort to document the cumulative damage in the parish. This is necessary for the parish’s application for federal assistance. To assist in this effort, individuals who have sustained property damage should contact Lafayette Parish Office of Homeland Security at 337-291-5060. Operators will be available for assistance in damage assessment and any federal assistance that may be available.

Repair/Reconstruction
As cleanup efforts begin, residents, businesses, and property owners are reminded to purchase the proper permits for flood damage repair and reconstruction. In most cases a minimal residential repair permit is all that is required and can be obtained at the Clifton Chenier Center at 220 W. Willow St., Bld. B. Substantially damaged homes will be subject to additional requirements and permitting.

Make sure to call the LCG Codes Division at 337-291-8461 for inspection prior to replacing any sheetrock or wall covering or with any questions.

For more information on FEMA visit www.disasterassistance.gov<http://www.disasterassistance.gov>.

For more information on LCG’s Codes Division visit www.lafayettela.gov/pzd/codes<http://www.lafayettela.gov/pzd/codes>.

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