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August 5th Flood

Recovery Resources

SBA Disaster Loans Available for Businesses and Residents

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will offer low-interest federal disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, most private nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters whose property was damaged or destroyed by torrential rainfall and flooding on Aug. 5.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage. Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including vehicles.

Applicants can apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants can also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call (800) 877-8339. The filing deadline to return applications for property damage is Oct. 23, 2017. The deadline to return economic injury applications is May 22, 2018.

Read the Disaster Loan Fact Sheet

English, Spanish

Assistance for Residents and Volunteer Opportunities Available

Community organizations are our partners in preparedness and response. Link with them directly for more info on volunteer opportunities and available assistance.

American Red Cross

504-620-3105
The Red Cross continues to work closely with local officials and partners to provide support to those affected by flooding in New Orleans this past weekend. Currently, the Red Cross is coordinating with local government to assist with damage assessment, as well as providing cleaning kits and recovery planning support to affected individuals and families. Contact the American Red Cross at 504-620-3105.

Cajun Army

www.thecajunarmy.com
If you need assistance with cleanup, sign up on the website or call Windy at 504-982-6333.

Louisiana Civil Justice Center

www.laciviljustice.org, 504-355-0970
The Louisiana Civil Justice Center is a non-profit that provides civil legal assistance for low-income, elderly, and disaster-affected residents of Louisiana through a toll-free hotline, court-based help desks, and community legal clinics. The Louisiana Civil Justice Center can help survivors of the August 2017 flooding who need legal advice. Callers may take advantage of free legal counseling via a toll-free hotline. Counseling is offered on the following legal issues: insurance claims, landlord-tenant issues, home-repair contracts, consumer-protection matters, and replacement of legal documents destroyed in the storm.

LSU AgCenter

www.lsuagcenter.com, 504-658-2900
LSU AgCenter can provide information on flood recovery, mold, hurricane preparation, and other relevant information.

NOLA Tree Project

504-415-8434
connie@nolatreeproject.org
NOLA Tree Project can coordinate volunteers, tools, and cleaning supplies to help with cleanup activities. Contact them for volunteer opportunities or to request assistance.

Rebuilding Together New Orleans

504-581-7032
Rebuilding Together New Orleans, a program of the PRC, helps homeowners with critical home repair services by utilizing volunteers. If your home received damage and you need help, contact the intake department at 504-581-7032. If you want to help, contact Volunteer Manager Kat at 504-636-3075 or kschweitzer@prcno.org.

SBP

SBP can help homeowners whose homes were impacted by the flooding. Volunteers can assist with gutting and mold remediation. Contact Judy at JMartens@SBPUSA.org for volunteer opportunities. Homeowners in need of assistance should contact the client services department at 504-644-4639. SBP provides free resources (mold remediation, basic insurance guide, avoiding contractor fraud) for residents affected by disasters. These guides can all be accessed and downloaded from http://sbpusa.org/start-here/.

Southeast Louisiana Legal Services

504-529-1000 x223
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services can provide legal assistance to tenants who are being evicted or who are being asked to pay for repairs by their landlords due to flooding. Go to their office at 1010 Commons Monday, Wednesday or Friday from 9-3 and bring proof of income, lease, and any other important documents.

If your organization is accepting volunteers or offering services for residents affected by flooding and would like to be listed here, email lamellem@nola.gov.

Clean up Safely

NOLA Ready guide to cleaning up after safely

Prevent Mold Growth

Clean wet or moldy surfaces with bleach. See the guide on the following page for how to safely clean with bleach.
Use fans to dry wet building materials, carpets, and furniture.
Throw away anything that you can’t clean or dry quickly.
If mold growth is large, contact a licensed mold removal professional.

Prevent Mosquito Breeding

Remove trash and clutter like old tires, buckets, and tarps.
Empty standing water from containers like pet dishes, children's toys, and flowerpots.
Keep water fresh in containers like bird baths and kiddie pools.
Clean gutters and catch basins.
Call 311 to report illegal dumping, abandoned swimming pools, and water leaks.

Organize Debris for Sanitation Pickup

Sanitation collection will occur as scheduled. For properties eligible for collection by the City:

During the 2nd collection this week, the Sanitation Department will pick up bulky waste including debris, carpeting and other large items. Residents are encouraged to inform 311 of bulky waste pickup needs.
Tree limbs, branches and carpeting must be cut in four feet (or less) lengths and bundled. Tree limbs cannot be more than 12 inches in diameter.
Leaves should be bagged and the bags secured.

Resources for Small Businesses Affected by Flooding

Contact the Office of Economic Development

The Mayor's Office of Economic Development is currently conducting preliminary damage assessments of businesses affected by Saturday's flooding. If your business was damaged, contact Economic Development at (504) 658-4200.

View the New Orleans Building Hardening Guide

The City of New Orleans Office of Resilience & Sustainability and NOLA Ready have put together a guide on how to protect your business from high winds, flooding, fire, winter weather, and hail. These techniques range from very minor, inexpensive retrofits which you might do by yourself to far more complicated measures which require the assistance of a licensed professional.
View the New Orleans Building Hardening Guide.

File a Claim for Flood Damage to Your Home or Business

Start the Claims Process by Contacting Your Insurer

After experiencing a flood, contact your agent or insurance company to file a claim. Make sure you have the following information handy:

The name of your insurance company
Your policy number
A telephone and/or email address where you can be reached at all times

An adjuster should contact you within a few days of filing your claim. If you do not hear from an adjuster, you can contact your insurance agent or company again.

Document the Damage

Separate damaged from undamaged property. Your adjuster will need evidence of the damage to your home and possessions to prepare your repair estimate.

Take photographs of all of the damaged property, including discarded objects, structural damage, and standing floodwater levels.
Make a list of damaged or lost items and include their date of purchase, value, and receipts, if possible.
Officials may require disposal of damaged items so, if possible, place flooded items outside of the home.

Complete a Proof of Loss to Support Your Claim

Your adjuster will assist you in preparing a Proof of Loss (which is your sworn statement of the amount you are claiming including necessary supporting documentation) for your official claim for damages. A Proof of Loss can be many things, but must contain the specific details set forth in the Standard Flood Insurance Policy. You'll need to file your Proof of Loss with your insurance company within 60 days of the flood. This document substantiates the insurance claim and is required before the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or insurance company can make payment.

You'll receive your claim payment after you and the insurer agree on the amount of damages and the insurer has your complete, accurate, and signed Proof of Loss. If major catastrophic flooding occurs, it may take longer to process claims and make payments because of the sheer number of claims submitted.

File a Claim for Flood Damage to Your Vehicle

Contact your car insurance company

Have your policy number and contact information ready.

Flood Repair Permits

Permits directly related to flood damage resulting from the August 5, 2017 flood event will have all associated permitting fees waived. Come to the One Stop Shop prepared with all of the documents that you need to obtain your permit in a single visit. If your building did not experience structural damage, but you still need to repair portions like floors, drywall, cabinetry, and electrical outlets, please click here to learn about the 4 things you will need to get your permit.