Houma hurricane, water and fire damage cleanup

Since 1984 the city and parish have shared one consolidated government, and the urbanized Bayou Cane area next door blends into town so seamlessly that many locals treat it as part of Houma. It averages more than 65 inches of rain a year, and its low elevation leaves little room for error when a tropical system arrives.

If a leak, fire or storm has hit your house, the number to try is (866) 937-3230. Fire & Water Energy is a referral service that tries to find an independent restoration contractor working in the area; we don't send crews, and availability depends on local companies. Terrebonne residents curious about the fine print can check the referral disclosure or the how it works page.

Ida's eyewall, Francine's landfall and a wet Gulf climate

In late August 2021, the intense eyewall of Category 4 Hurricane Ida passed over the city, causing widespread destruction; a year later, reporting described the area as still badly damaged with many residents displaced. Three years on, the National Weather Service reports that Hurricane Francine made landfall in far southwestern Terrebonne Parish as a Category 2 storm with winds near 100 mph. It tore a church roof, damaged the generation plant in Houma and left nearly the whole parish without power, while up to about 7 inches of rain caused flash flooding.

FEMA's list for the parish since 2011 also includes Tropical Storm Lee, Isaac, Barry, a 2019 flood, Laura, Delta, Zeta, the 2021 winter storms and Tropical Storm Arthur in 2026.

Roof damage, slow leaks and water damage repair

After a hurricane, the most common interior water damage comes through the roof: lifted shingles, torn decking and failed flashing let rain into attics and ceilings, sometimes for weeks before a permanent repair. Day-to-day, plumbing supply lines, water heaters and attic AC drain pans cause the rest.

The record low here is 5 degrees, and the 2021 winter storm declaration shows that pipes in exterior walls can freeze. For water damage restoration in Houma, contractors typically stop the source, extract water, then dry with monitored dehumidifiers and air movers. The ceiling water damage repair and structural drying pages explain more.

Federal disaster declarations that included Terrebonne Parish

FEMA records show Terrebonne Parish was included in 20 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (14 hurricane, 2 flood, 2 coastal storm, 1 tropical storm, 1 severe ice storm, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in Houma was affected. The most recent:

• 2026 – Tropical Storm Arthur (DR-4927)
• 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)

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.

Fire, smoke and outage-season hazards

Downtown Houma, a historic district on the National Register, still recalls the January 1970 gas explosion that killed three people and damaged much of the area. At home today, fire risk rises when power is out after a storm and families turn to generators, candles and camp stoves.

Fire damage typically involves soot through every room, odor in fabrics and water from extinguishing. A reputable contractor usually secures the structure, removes debris, cleans surfaces suited to each material and deodorizes. Explore fire damage restoration and smoke damage cleanup.

Hurricane debris, flash flooding and storm cleanup

Heavy tropical rain on low ground produces flash flooding that reaches inside homes, and that water is treated as contaminated. Standard practice is to remove wet drywall and insulation, discard porous flooring, disinfect and then dry everything before rebuilding.

Wind damage means trees on roofs, broken windows and blown-off siding, often while power is out for days. Tarping and board-up keep more rain from getting in. The hurricane damage cleanup and flood damage restoration pages cover next steps.

Mold after the power goes out

A closed-up house with no air conditioning in Terrebonne Parish heat is ideal for mold. Wet drywall, carpet pad and attic insulation can show growth within a few days, especially after roof leaks or flooding.

The EPA suggests homeowners can usually clean less than about 10 square feet themselves with gloves and an N95; larger areas, or mold following floodwater, warrant a professional who sets up containment. More detail is on our mold remediation page.

Staying safe and organized after a storm in Houma

• Call 911 for fire, injuries, gas leaks or anyone trapped.
• Follow Terrebonne Parish evacuation and re-entry orders and National Weather Service New Orleans/Baton Rouge advisories.
• Run generators outside only, never in a garage or under a carport roof.
• Photograph damage before and during cleanup and keep every receipt. What is paid depends on your policy, and flood damage typically needs separate flood coverage; ask your agent.
• Be cautious with door-to-door contractors and get scopes in writing.

Neighborhoods and nearby communities

Areas in and around Houma that callers often mention include:

• Downtown Houma

Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from Houma):

• Bayou Cane · 3 mi
• Raceland · 12 mi
• Thibodaux · 15 mi
• Morgan City · 30 mi
• Luling · 31 mi
• Destrehan · 33 mi

Restoration guides

• Hurricane Damage Cleanup
• Ceiling Water Damage Repair
• Structural Drying
• Flood Damage Restoration
• Mold Remediation
• Fire Damage Restoration

Local resources for Houma residents

• National Weather Service New Orleans/Baton Rouge
• NWS tropical event summaries

Sources

• Wikipedia: Houma, Louisiana
• NWS: Hurricane Francine impact narratives
• FEMA disaster declarations (Terrebonne Parish)

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