Gretna's history runs deep along the river. John McDonogh laid out McDonoghville in 1815, the first subdivision in Jefferson Parish, and the town of Mechanikham grew up around a rail station and ferry landing starting in 1836. Gretna incorporated in 1913 and today has about 17,800 residents living at roughly sea level, protected by the levee.
Fire & Water Energy refers callers to outside companies and does not perform restoration. Dial (866) 937-3230 and we'll attempt to locate an independent restoration contractor taking jobs in the parish seat and nearby West Bank communities, subject to availability. For specifics, read how it works and the referral disclosure before a crew ever visits your Gretna property.
Life behind the river levee: floods, hurricanes and outages
The river has always been a force here. The colonial-era Monplaisir plantation house, built by 1750, was destroyed by a Mississippi River flood in the late 1800s. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the mayor reported the city had not flooded but had lost power, water and sewer service.
Since 2000 the parish has collected twenty FEMA major disaster declarations, a list running from the twin 2008 hurricanes Gustav and Ike through Isaac, Barry, the busy 2020-2021 seasons and, most recently, Francine. During Ida, a 400-foot Entergy transmission tower on the Westbank collapsed and cut power to a large part of the parish, and three carbon monoxide deaths were reported there. Francine's rain, falling mostly within a couple of hours, was enough to push parish canals over their banks.
Older homes, river-town plumbing and water damage repair
Gretna's population peaked around 1970, so much of the housing is several decades old, and McDonoghville is older still. Aging cast-iron drains, galvanized supply lines and worn roof flashing are frequent sources of leaks, along with AC condensate overflow and water heaters past their prime.
When seeking water damage restoration in Gretna, ask how the contractor checks under raised floors and behind plaster, which can hold moisture longer than drywall. Read more on water damage repair and ceiling water damage repair.
Federal disaster declarations that included Jefferson Parish
FEMA records show Jefferson Parish was included in 20 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (14 hurricane, 3 severe storm, 2 coastal storm, 1 severe ice storm, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Gretna was affected. The most recent:
- 2024 – Hurricane Francine (DR-4817)
- 2021 – Hurricane Ida (DR-4611)
- 2021 – Severe Winter Storms (DR-4590)
- 2021 – Hurricane Zeta (DR-4577)
- 2020 – Hurricane Delta (DR-4570)
- 2020 – Hurricane Laura (DR-4559)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved 2026-10-10. Counts include major disaster (DR) declarations with hurricane, flood, severe storm, tropical storm, fire, tornado, coastal storm, winter or ice storm, mudslide and dam/levee incident types.
Water, fire or storm damage in Gretna?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your Gretna property.
Smoke and fire cleanup for West Bank homes
Older wiring, space heaters and generators used after long outages like Ida's all raise fire risk. Smoke travels through attics and wall cavities in older houses, leaving soot and odor far from where the fire began, and the water used to extinguish it can soak floors and walls.
A reputable contractor will usually secure the property, remove debris, clean soot by surface type and run deodorizing equipment. Jefferson Parish homeowners can find more detail under fire damage cleanup and soot removal.
Rain flooding, canal backups and storm recovery
Even with the river held back by levees, very heavy rain can overwhelm local drainage. Water that rises from streets or canals can carry sewage, so contractors treat it as contaminated: removing wet flooring and lower drywall, disinfecting, and drying with dehumidifiers. Hurricane wind damage often means roof tarping and tree work before interior repairs.
If street water got inside, the sewage cleanup page explains the extra precautions, and storm water damage restoration covers rain-driven losses.
Mold prevention when the power stays off
Outages like the one after Ida leave houses closed up, hot and humid, which is when mold spreads fastest. Wet drywall, carpet pad and insulation should be removed or dried promptly to prevent growth inside walls.
Per the EPA, a patch no bigger than roughly ten square feet is generally a do-it-yourself job if you wear a respirator, gloves and goggles. Larger or hidden growth, or mold after contaminated water, should be handled by professionals. See mold remediation.
Safety guidance for Gretna residents
- For flames, a gas smell, an injury or someone in danger, 911 comes first.
- When a storm is coming, rely on the National Weather Service office covering metro New Orleans and on parish government directions.
- Place generators outdoors, far from windows; carbon monoxide caused deaths in the parish after Ida.
- Keep away from water near electrical panels until power is off.
- Take pictures before removing anything and keep receipts. Your agent or insurer can explain what your particular policy pays for; rising-water losses normally fall under separate flood coverage.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Areas in and around Gretna that callers often mention include:
- McDonoghville
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Gretna):
Gretna restoration FAQs
Did Gretna flood during Hurricane Katrina?
According to the mayor at the time, the city did not flood but lost power, water and sewer service. Heavy rain events since then, such as Francine in 2024, have still overwhelmed canals across Jefferson Parish.
Are older McDonoghville homes harder to dry out?
They can be. Plaster walls, wood floors and raised foundations hold moisture differently than modern construction, so ask the contractor how they will measure and dry those materials.
What should I watch for after a long power outage?
Check for spoiled food, musty odors and any leaks that went unnoticed. Run generators only outdoors, since carbon monoxide deaths were reported in Jefferson Parish after Ida.
Can you help me find a contractor in Terrytown or Harvey as well?
Quite possibly. Give us a ring at (866) 937-3230, and we'll see whether an independent restoration firm working those West Bank neighborhoods is free.
Restoration guides
- Water Damage Repair
- Ceiling Water Damage Repair
- Storm Water Damage Restoration
- Sewage Cleanup
- Fire Damage Cleanup
- Mold Remediation