BATON ROUGE, La. – September 11 marks the National Day of Service and Remembrance enacted by Congress in 2009 to inspire Americans to engage in charitable activities. The observance was started after 9-11 to create one of the largest days of charitable acts with citizens coming together the way they did after the attack.In Louisiana, voluntary agencies have been very active and will continue to provide a wide range of assistance to the many who have experienced damage, including flood debris clean-up, shelter, food, clothing, counseling, home repairs and reconstruction, and...

BATON ROUGE, La. – A disaster recovery center is opening Saturday, Sept. 10, in West Baton Rouge Parish to assist Louisiana flood survivors. The center is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week, until further notice.The disaster recovery center is operating at the following address and hours:West Baton Rouge ParishLocation:  LSU Center at the 4-H Compound                  210 Turner Drive                  Port Allen, LA 70767Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Monday through Sunday)Survivors may locate other centers near them by visiting fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers, calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362, or downloading...

BATON ROUGE, La. –Federal assistance to help Louisiana disaster survivors and communities surpassed $1 billion less than four weeks after the Aug. 14 disaster declaration.These funds are a result of federal agencies working closely with their local, parish and state partners to identify and find solutions to help survivors and the state recover from the severe storms and floods that occurred Aug. 11-31.To date, more than 63,000 Louisiana families are  receiving assistance through one or more of the housing options available to them, including rental assistance, home repairs, hotel and motel...

BATON ROUGE, La. – If you own a multi-family dwelling that needs repairs and are willing to lease to eligible FEMA applicants, then you may be interested in the Multi-Family Lease and Repair Program (MLRP). This FEMA program provides funds to make rental units habitable again, and at the same time helps survivors of the severe August storms and floods.Here’s how it works: After you and FEMA agree on the work that needs to be done and the associated costs, you may choose your own contractor and start the repairs. The...

DENTON, Texas –– New flood maps become effective in Harris County on Jan. 6, 2017. Residents are encouraged to look at them so they can determine the need to buy flood insurance. By knowing their risks, individuals and communities can make informed decisions about building and development.Most homeowner insurance policies do not cover the effects of flooding. Anyone without flood insurance risks uninsured losses to their homes, personal property and businesses. Flood insurance is available either through a private policy, or through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP is...