BATON ROUGE, La.— Move your recovery forward and get informed to make sure you invest resources properly and rebuild or repair wisely. Contact your community’s floodplain management or building officials to start the inspection process to determine if your home or business is substantially damaged. Also get the proper permits for things like plumbing, electrical system, foundation and structural repairs.Substantial damage exists in Special Flood Hazard Areas, or floodplains—areas that have increased flooding risks— when the cost of restoring a structure equals or exceeds 50 percent of the structure’s pre-damage market value....

AUSTIN, Texas—Federal officials today announced more than $2.1 million had been approved to install and lease for 18 months the Deweyville Elementary School’s temporary modular classrooms.The school was devastated by the severe storms and flooding in March. The 11 modular classrooms, which serve students in grades K-5, were available at the start of this school year while the district begins rebuilding a permanent facility.The funding represents the federal share—75 percent—of the $2.87 million project. The district was one of 64 applicants in 21 counties that were eligible to be reimbursed for...

DENTON, Texas– New preliminary flood maps in Calcasieu Parish within the Lower Sabine Watershed are now ready for residents and business owners to review. The maps were produced by a team of local, state and FEMA floodplain officials.Residents and business owners are encouraged to view the maps to see if their property is at risk of flooding. This understanding will help residents and business owners make informed decisions about building plans. Flood Insurance is recommended for all areas of risk, even low risk areas.The public is invited to participate in appeal...

BATON ROUGE, La. – Nonprofit organizations that experienced damage or losses from the August floods may apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance grants to help them get back to the business of helping others.As part of its mission, FEMA provides grants to state, tribal and local governments and certain private nonprofits through its Public Assistance program. For the August floods, these grants reimburse 90 percent of eligible costs for emergency protective measures, and repair and restoration of public facilities and infrastructure to pre-disaster condition.Only certain nonprofit organizations (PNPs) are...

BATON ROUGE, La. — If your home or business is damaged by a flood, you may be required to meet certain building requirements in your community to reduce future flood damage before you repair or rebuild. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Standard Flood Insurance Policy provides Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) coverage, which may be available to help cover the costs of meeting those requirements, subject to eligibility.If eligible, NFIP insurance policyholders may receive up to $30,000 of ICC coverage to help pay the costs to bring their building into...

BATON ROUGE, La. – The U.S. Small Business Administration is opening a disaster loan outreach center on Thursday, Oct. 6, in St. Landry Parish to assist Louisiana flood survivors. The center will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, until further notice. St. Landry ParishLocation:  Word Ministries                  1960 West Laurel Avenue                  Eunice, LA 70535Hours:      9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Monday through Friday)The new disaster loan outreach center will be transitioning from the FEMA disaster recovery center at the same address that will cease operations at 6 p.m. on Wednesday,...

BATON ROUGE, La. – FEMA has awarded the state approximately $146 million to reimburse local entities for expenses related to response and recovery efforts as a result of August’s severe storms and floods.Here is a breakdown of the funding: Nearly $40 million for debris removal expenses in East Baton Rouge Parish.More than $6 million for debris removal expenses in Livingston Parish.More than $5 million for expenses related to the National Guard’s public safety actions during the disaster response.Nearly $95 million for the state’s Shelter at Home program that provides emergency repairs to...

BATON ROUGE, La.— A quick fix may change your decision if you applied for FEMA help following Louisiana’s August severe storms and floods and you disagree with your determination letter.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Everybody has a right to appeal. Read your determination letter carefully to understand FEMA’s decision and know exactly what you need to do for your appeal.　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Many times applicants just need to submit some extra documents for FEMA to process their application. FEMA can reconsider you in some cases if you:Submit insurance documents. Provide documents from your insurance company that detail your coverage...

BATON ROUGE, La. – Students at Louisiana colleges or universities in areas affected by the August flooding may be eligible for FEMA disaster grants to help with damage to or losses of personal vehicles, clothing, text books and school supplies.Disaster assistance loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available up to $40,000 for personal property loss of vehicles, furniture and other personal items.Students do not need to be permanent residents of the designated parishes to be eligible for assistance. However, the property damage or loss must have occurred in...