Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
Information from American Red Cross and Ready.gov
RED CROSS FLOOD SAFETY INFORMATION
Get Ready for Flooding
- Pack your emergency kit. Include a gallon of water per person, per day – 3 days for evacuation, 2-week supply for home. Also pack a 3-day supply of non-perishable food, a flashlight, battery or hand crank radio, extra batteries, first aid kit, medications, sanitation and personal hygiene items, cell phone with charger, family and emergency contact information, extra cash, a map of the area and items for babies, anyone with special needs and your pets.
- Make sure everyone in your household knows what to do if a flood watch or warning is issued.
- Get access to NOAA radio broadcasts.
- Keep insurance policies, valuables and other important documents in a safe deposit box or a safe place not likely to be damaged in a flood. Take pictures and keep copies of important documents and files on a flash drive that you can carry with you. Have your insurance agent’s phone number as well as the web address or number to file a claim.
- Don’t forget your pets. Prepare a pet emergency kit for your companion animals.
Right Before a Flood
- Know the difference between a watch and warning. A watch means that a flood or flash flood is possible in your area, while a warning means that flooding/flash flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area.
- Listen to local area radio, NOAA radio or TV stations for the latest information and updates.
- Be prepared to evacuate quickly if directed and know your routes and destinations. If someone needs to find a shelter they can visit redcross.org/shelter.
- Check emergency kit and replenish any items missing or in short supply. Keep it nearby.
- Know types of flood risk in your area. Visit FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center for information.
During a Flood
- Move immediately to higher ground or stay on high ground. Evacuate if directed. Avoid walking or driving through flood waters.
- Avoid contact with floodwater. It may be contaminated with sewage.
- Continue listening to local area radio, NOAA radio or TV stations for the latest information and updates.
- Avoid already flooded areas and areas that are subject to sudden flooding such as dips, low spots, canyons, washes etc. Stay away from rivers, streams, creeks and storm drains.
- Do not attempt to cross flowing streams or water covered roads.
- If caught in a flash flood, try to get to higher ground and stay there. Just six inches of fast-flowing water can knock you over and two feet will float a car.
- Turn around and find another route if you come upon floodwater, rapidly rising water or barricades.
- Don’t allow children to play in or near flood water. It may be contaminated with sewage.
More information, including a flood safety checklist in several languages, is available here.
DOWNLOAD APPS – People can download the Red Cross Emergency App for instant access to weather alerts for their area and where loved ones live. Expert medical guidance and a hospital locator are included in the First Aid App in case travelers encounter any mishaps. Both apps are available to download for free in app stores or at redcross.org/apps. These apps are also available in Spanish. Search for “American Red Cross” in your mobile app store or go to redcross.org/apps. In the app, go to “settings” and “change your apps language” to switch your language to Spanish.
Be Safe AFTER
- Listen to authorities for information and instructions. Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
- Avoid driving, except in emergencies.
- Snakes and other animals may be in your house. Wear heavy gloves and boots during clean up.
- Be aware of the risk of electrocution. Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. If it is safe to do so, turn off the electricity to prevent electric shock.
- Avoid wading in floodwater, which can contain dangerous debris and be contaminated. Underground or downed power lines can also electrically charge the water.
- Use a generator or other gasoline-powered machinery ONLY outdoors and away from windows.
Additional recovery resources can be found in the disaster guide available here.
Quick Links:
FEMA or other funding for lost income
- Individual Disaster Unemployment:
- Business – SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
Blue roof program
- Blueroof.us – (888) 766-3258
- Cannot have significant structural damage (50%) to roof
- Verification by aerial imagery and home visit if needed. Will not contact you until contractor comes
Govt continuation funding/disaster aid/debt limit
- The continuing resolution voted on last night by the U.S. senate failed because of one reason: Democrats wanted it to fail.
- Senator Schumer knowingly doomed this bill to failure by attaching a debt limit increase to fund Democrats reckless tax and spending agenda.
- The vote was never going to pass. If it had a chance I would have voted to get the resources to our state. But it was going to fail and I will not endorse Schumer holding our disaster aid hostage.
- But our efforts worked and the Senate is getting ready to vote on a clean bill as soon as later today that will deliver our long awaiting aid that we worked hard to secure.
Insurers covering evacuation
- Check your insurance documents. Could fall under Loss of Use coverage.
Aid to rebuild homes
- If Insufficient Insurance Coverage: If the loss is more than their insurance settlement, they can apply for an SBA Disaster Assistance Loan. If you have insurance and do not qualify for SBA loan, FEMA will only provide some assistance if the damages are less than your deductible. In that case, FEMA will cover the bare minimum repairs to make the home safe, habitable, and accessible.
FEMA generators and saws
- Can get up to $800 for generators regardless of medical need and up to $250 for chainsaws. Receipts can be faxed, mailed, uploaded to the applicant’s FEMA account, or submitted at a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC).
- Applicants who purchase or rent a generator and/or chainsaw between Aug. 26, 2021 and Sept. 25, 2021, may be eligible to receive financial assistance for reimbursement if:
- The applicant meets the general eligibility requirements for FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program.
- The home is the applicant’s primary residence and is located in a parish designated for the Individuals and Households
- Program. The parishes are: Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana parishes.
- The generator was purchased or rented due to a disruption in electrical utility service caused by Hurricane Ida.
- Proof-of-purchase or rental receipts for the items are submitted by the applicant.
- FAX: 1-800-827-8112
- MAIL: FEMA – Individuals & Households Program
- National Processing Service Center, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055
DSNAP:
Call Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCSF) at 1-888-524-3578 or register online at http://www.dcfs.louisiana.gov/page/dsnap-registration.
Parish Contacts:
|
Parish |
Number |
|
Ascension |
Citizens Service Number: 225-450-1200 Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness: 225-621-8360 |
|
Assumption |
LA #911 down in part of Assumption Parish Direct line to Assumption Parish 911 Center: 985-369-7386 |
|
Calcasieu |
Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness: 337-721-3800 |
|
East Baton Rouge |
Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness: 225- 389-2100 |
|
East Feliciana |
Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness: 225- 719-1962 and 225-244-5881 |
|
Iberia |
Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness: 337-369-4427 |
|
Iberville |
Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness: 225-687-5140 |
|
Jefferson |
Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness: (504) 349-5360 |
|
Lafayette |
Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness: |
|
Lafourche |
Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness: (985) 537-7603 |
|
Livingston |
Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness: 225-686-3066 |
|
Orleans |
Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness: 504-658-8700 |
|
Plaquemines |
Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness: 504-934-6000 |
|
Pointe Coupee |
Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness: 225-638-9556 |
|
St Bernard |
Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness: 504-278-4268 |
|
St Helena |
Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness: 225-222-3544 |
|
St James |
Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness: 225-562-2346 |
|
St John the Baptist |
Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness: 985-652-2222 |
|
St Martin |
Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness: |
|
St Mary |
(337) 828-4100 Ext 135 |
|
St Tammany |
Emergency Operations Center: 985-898-2323 Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness: 985-898-2359 |
|
Tangipahoa |
Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness: 985-748-3211 |
|
Terrebonne |
Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness: 985-873-6357 |
|
Washington |
Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness: 985-839-0434 |
|
West Baton Rouge |
Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness: |
|
West Feliciana Parish |
Parish Office of Emergency and Preparedness: 225-784-3136 |
|
St Charles Parish |
Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness: 985-783-5050 |