News and Media: Disaster 4570

It's Time to Prepare for Hurricane Season

The 2021 hurricane season runs June 1 through Nov. 30

BATON ROUGE, La. – Hurricane season will be here soon. Don't wait for a dangerous storm to threaten before preparing. Here are four points you can follow to protect your family and home.

Stay informed

Pay attention to weather reports and information from state and local news agencies, keeping up with television, radio and online weather reports to stay aware of hurricane warnings.

Survivors of hurricanes Laura, Delta and Zeta and the winter storms could be eligible for rental assistance for temporary housing through FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program. FEMA pays rent, including a security deposit, at a place other than your damaged home.

Your rental can be a house, apartment or hotel that can keep you near your job, home, school and place of worship. The assistance includes essential utilities such as electricity and water but not cable or Internet.

In the wake of a disaster, the people of Louisiana have always come together with compassion and courage to ask how they can help survivors. However, people often don't realize there is still a great need weeks or months after a disaster.

How to Help

BATON ROUGE, La. – Did you register for assistance with FEMA after hurricanes Laura or Delta and still need a place to live? Or did your circumstances change, and you now need housing after telling FEMA you did not? If so, FEMA needs to hear from you no later than Friday, May 28.

Applicants should call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585).

FEMA is working on housing approximately 700 families who remain on the list of applicants eligible for direct temporary housing.

Your home is a serious investment. FEMA and the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) suggest taking the following steps to protect your investment as you repair or rebuild your disaster-damaged home.

Plan Your Project

Detail out what you want done and who you will need to complete it. No two projects are the same and may require a specially licensed contractor.

Get 2-3 Estimates