Harvey began as a plantation where a drainage ditch was dug and later widened into the Harvey Canal, running from the Mississippi River south toward Bayou Barataria. Joseph Hale Harvey built it into a company town, and locks were added to connect the canal with the river. Today about 22,000 people live here at an elevation of roughly 3 feet, with half a square mile of the area's 7 square miles covered by water.
Fire & Water Energy is a referral service only and does not have restoration staff. When you call (866) 937-3230, we'll work to put you in touch with an independent restoration contractor operating on the West Bank, if one is available. To understand what to expect, visit how it works; the referral disclosure explains how matching is handled.
Canal country: heavy rain, wind and Gulf storms
Harvey sits east of the Intracoastal Canal, with Marrero to the west, Gretna to the east, Woodmere to the southwest and New Orleans just across the river. Low ground and a network of canals mean intense rainfall has limited places to go.
Jefferson Parish has been covered by FEMA declarations for severe storms and tornadoes in 2007, Gustav and Ike (2008), Tropical Storm Lee (2011), Isaac (2012), Barry (2019), Laura and Delta (2020), Zeta, Ida and a winter storm (2021), and Francine (2024). In Francine, the National Weather Service measured 6 to 9 inches of rain across the parish, mostly within a couple of hours; canals spilled over, and isolated gusts reached hurricane force.
Leaks, appliance failures and water damage restoration in Harvey
Most indoor water losses here start small: a failed supply hose, a water heater that rusts through, a clogged condensate drain from an air handler, or rain blown under shingles during a tropical storm. Because the climate is warm and humid, even a modest leak can soak drywall and subfloor quickly.
If you are arranging water damage restoration in Harvey, ask a contractor to take moisture readings at the start and on each visit so you can see drying progress. Related pages: water damage repair and structural drying.
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 Harvey 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 Harvey?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your Harvey property.
House fires, generators and smoke residue
After hurricanes cut power, portable generators and candles raise the risk of fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. Even a small kitchen or electrical fire spreads fine soot that settles on walls, clothing and inside HVAC ducts, and the water used to put it out adds a moisture problem.
A reputable company will usually board up damaged openings, remove ruined materials, clean soot by surface type, and deodorize. West Bank households can learn more through our fire damage cleanup and smoke odor removal pages.
When canals spill over: flood and storm cleanup
Water that overtops canals or backs up from streets should be treated as contaminated, since it can carry sewage and fuel. Contractors commonly remove wet carpet, pad and insulation, cut out the lower drywall, disinfect surfaces and then dry the structure with commercial dehumidifiers. If wind damaged the roof, tarping usually comes first so the interior stops getting wetter.
See flood cleanup along with storm damage cleanup for a closer look at these steps on the West Bank.
Damp air, outages and mold growth
Surrounded by canals and bayou country, homes here deal with humid air for most of the year. When a storm knocks out power for days, closed-up houses heat up and moisture lingers, giving mold a head start on any wet material.
According to EPA guidance, mold under roughly 10 square feet can often be cleaned by a homeowner wearing proper protection. Larger areas, growth inside walls, or mold that followed floodwater are jobs for a professional. Learn more on mold removal.
Harvey household safety checklist
- Call 911 for fires, injuries, gas leaks or anyone stuck in rising water.
- Follow National Weather Service New Orleans/Baton Rouge alerts and Jefferson Parish updates during storms.
- Keep any portable generator out in the yard, well clear of openings that could let exhaust drift inside.
- Shut off electricity to wet areas if you can do so safely.
- Before the first wet item leaves the house, take pictures of each affected room and keep every cleanup receipt. Coverage depends on your policy, so check with your insurer or agent; floodwater damage typically needs a separate flood policy.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Harvey):
Harvey restoration FAQs
Why do streets near the canal flood in heavy storms?
The community sits only about 3 feet above sea level, and drainage relies on canals that can fill quickly. During Francine, 6 to 9 inches of rain fell across Jefferson Parish in a short period and canals overflowed.
Is it safe to use a generator after a hurricane?
Only outdoors and well away from doors, windows and vents, because of carbon monoxide and fire risk. Never run one in a garage, even with the door open.
How long does drying usually take after a leak?
It depends on how much water got in and what materials are wet. Contractors track progress with moisture readings, and drying often takes several days. Ask for those readings in writing.
Can you refer someone in Marrero or Gretna too?
We can try. Call (866) 937-3230 and we will look for an independent restoration contractor serving your part of the West Bank, depending on availability.
Restoration guides
- Flood Cleanup
- Storm Damage Cleanup
- Water Damage Repair
- Structural Drying
- Fire Damage Cleanup
- Mold Removal