Hurricane, Flood and Fire Restoration in Louisiana

Fire & Water Energy is a referral service, not a contractor. When you call (866) 937-3230, we'll try to connect you with an independent restoration company that works in your parish, whether you need help with storm damage in Lake Charles, a flooded home near the Amite River or a kitchen fire in Shreveport.

Whether someone can take your job depends on the independent providers serving your address. This page covers Louisiana's main hazards, how they differ between the coast and the north, what state rules apply to restoration and mold work, and where to find official alerts.

Hurricanes and the Louisiana coast

Much of south Louisiana is low alluvial land about 10 feet above sea level, and no point in the state is more than 200 miles from the Gulf, according to the Wikipedia article on Louisiana climate. When Hurricane Katrina struck on August 29, 2005, levee breaches flooded more than 80 percent of New Orleans.

Recent storms have been just as destructive. Hurricane Laura made landfall near Cameron on August 27, 2020, as a Category 4 with 150 mph winds and at least 9.19 feet of surge at Cameron. Lake Charles had catastrophic roof damage, and Hurricane Delta came ashore about 12 miles east six weeks later, undoing many repairs (Wikipedia). Hurricane Ida made landfall near Port Fourchon on August 29, 2021, with 150 mph sustained winds and left about one million people without power (Wikipedia).

After a hurricane, the usual pattern is roof and window damage followed by days of rain intrusion, often while power is out and drying equipment can't run. Bayous, marshes and inlets can spread surge and floodwater over a wide area.

Rain and river flooding

Flooding in Louisiana does not require a named storm. In August 2016, an unnamed storm dropped up to 31.39 inches of rain at Watson, northeast of Baton Rouge. The Amite and Comite rivers reached record levels, the Amite cresting nearly 5 feet above its previous record in Denham Springs, and over 146,000 homes were thought to be damaged (Wikipedia). Baton Rouge, Gonzales and Lafayette were among the hardest-hit areas.

The state averages more than 60 thunderstorm days a year, second only to Florida, and the wet season runs from April to September. Summer storms bring short, intense downpours that can overwhelm drainage and back water into homes and crawl spaces.

How damage differs across the state

Greater New Orleans, the Northshore and the Bayou Region face surge, wind and rainfall flooding, often with water that must be treated as contaminated. Raised homes take damage to subfloors, insulation and ductwork; slab homes lose flooring and lower drywall.

Baton Rouge and Acadiana sit inland but still flood from rivers and stalled rain, as 2016 showed, and get hurricane wind as storms move north.

Southwest Louisiana, around Lake Charles and Cameron, took back-to-back hits from Laura and Delta in 2020, a reminder that roof tarps and temporary repairs may need to survive a second storm.

Central and North Louisiana are higher and cooler. Lows near 20 °F occur occasionally in the north, so frozen and burst pipes are more of a concern than on the coast. Part of the state lies in Dixie Alley, and tornadoes are most common in the north from February through March. Louisiana averages 27 tornadoes a year.

What an independent restoration contractor does

A reputable company will usually inspect the home, measure moisture, extract water and remove materials that cannot be saved, such as wet insulation under a raised floor or saturated drywall. Contractors commonly set up dehumidifiers and air movers, then check readings until the structure is dry. In south Louisiana's humidity, drying can take longer, and mold can start quickly if the job stalls.

After fire or smoke damage, contractors typically board up openings, clean soot, treat odors and help plan repairs. Read our guides on hurricane damage cleanup, storm water damage restoration and mold remediation.

Insurance basics for Louisiana homeowners

The Louisiana Department of Insurance consumer guide states that homeowners policies in Louisiana do not provide coverage for flood, so a separate policy, such as one through the NFIP, may be needed (LDI homeowners guide). A new NFIP policy generally takes effect 30 days after purchase, with limited exceptions (NFIP policy terms). The same guide notes that Louisiana Citizens serves as the insurer of last resort, that some coastal policies exclude wind and hail, and that you should check for a named-storm or hurricane deductible, which can be a percentage of the home's insured value.

The guide also advises recording every call with your insurer, making temporary repairs to prevent further damage and saving receipts, and not signing any contract or work order until you have spoken with your insurance company. The LDI offers a consumer hotline listed on its website. Coverage depends on your policy; check with your insurer or agent.

Contractor licensing and mold remediation

The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) covers several kinds of work relevant to restoration (LSLBC license types):

• Home improvement registration for home improvement work on existing homes valued at $7,500 or more, up to the residential license threshold.
• Residential license for larger residential projects above the board's dollar threshold (confirm the current amount with the LSLBC).
• Mold remediation license for remediation projects valued at $7,500 or more.

Ask any contractor which LSLBC registration or license applies to your job and verify it with the board. You can also ask whether technicians hold IICRC certification. Be wary of anyone who pressures you to sign right after a storm.

Safety and official alerts

Stay out of water that may be in contact with outlets or the panel, leave if you smell gas, and call 911 in an emergency. Floodwater and sewage backup can carry bacteria, so wear gloves and boots. The National Weather Service warns that 6 inches of fast-moving water can knock over an adult and 12 inches can carry away most cars (NWS). The CDC recommends drying a home within 24–48 hours after a flood and notes that people with asthma or mold allergies may have severe reactions (CDC).

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness offers Get A Game Plan, an alert sign-up, and road information through 511LA.org; for shelter information, call 2-1-1 or your parish OHSEP.

Restoration guides

• Hurricane Damage Cleanup
• Flood Damage Restoration
• Water Damage Restoration
• Storm Water Damage Restoration
• Mold Remediation
• Sewage Cleanup
• Fire Damage Restoration
• Property Damage Reconstruction

Sources

• Climate of Louisiana (Wikipedia)
• Hurricane Laura (Wikipedia)
• Hurricane Ida (Wikipedia)
• 2016 Louisiana floods (Wikipedia)
• Louisiana Department of Insurance
• LDI: Consumer's Guide to Homeowners Insurance (PDF)
• Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors: Types of Licenses
• Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP)
• FloodSmart.gov (NFIP)
• FloodSmart.gov: Buy a Flood Insurance Policy (waiting period)
• National Weather Service: Turn Around Don't Drown
• CDC: About Mold