News and Media: Disaster 4590

Louisiana residents should buy or renew a flood insurance policy to protect themselves year-round.

Survivors of the recent winter storm 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.

Louisiana residents who were affected by the recent winter storms and who have registered with FEMA to apply for disaster assistance might have already received or will receive a letter explaining the status of the application. The letters are sent by regular mail or email, based on the survivor’s preference.

Read that letter very carefully. It explains your status with FEMA including any FEMA grant awarded and/or additional information needed.

Sometimes people need further documentation to be submitted to FEMA for eligibility. For example:

As response efforts stabilize after a disaster, the focus shifts to recovery. FEMA’s Interagency Recovery Coordination (IRC) group helps with long- term recovery that is inclusive, locally led, state-managed, and federally supported.