As of Friday, August 26th, flood debris collection has begun from public rights-of-way in front of faith-based organizations, commercial entities, and homeowner associations, as well as private homeowners. If you need to know when debris collection will begin in your neighborhood, check the city-parish’s Flood Debris Collection Status GIS map, which is marked by zip code.
Landfill hours have also been expanded. The landfill’s new hours will be Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. until 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m.
The US Small Business Administration is offering loans to business owners as well as homeowners and renters to repair homes and businesses and replace lost property. Home repair loans can be as high as $200,000; personal property replacement loans can be as high as $40,000. Interest rates are very reasonable. Please visit their web page on Louisiana Flooding Disaster Assistance and read the fact sheet to learn more.
Contradicting information regarding “Mold Free Certificates of Occupancy” is circulating through the community; FEMA and the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) have both stated that no such document is required before you reoccupy your home. For more information on mold removal requirements and concerns, check out WAFB’s article on the LSLBC’s recommendations.
The Louisiana Shelter at Home Program will provide up to $15,000 to assist people in restoring their homes to very basic living conditions. Funds will go to things like gutting walls, restoring electrical wiring, removing wet wall insulation, and providing up to $500 in cooking and refrigeration appliances. Funding will only sustain the absolute minimum necessary to get you back into your house while you work to restore it. To be eligible, flood water in your house cannot have exceeded 24 inches above the main floor of the living area of the house – but higher waters may be inspected and approved on a case-by-case basis.
If you still need help gutting your home, the following organizations have put together teams of volunteers to help muck and gut homes, along with other relief efforts.
- BAPTIST ASSOCIATION OF SE LA: (985) 839-3827
- NOLA TREE PROJECT: 504-415-8434
- RED CROSS: 855-489-2528.
- UNITED SAINTS RECOVERY PROJECT: projects@UnitedSaints.org or (504)383-5554
- OPERATION BLESSING INTERNATIONAL: 757.226.3401
- ALL HANDS VOLUNTEERS: 225.236.6677 or louisianafloodresponse@hands.org.
- REACH OUT WORLDWIDE: Contact Mike 859-408-1073
- ST. BERNARD PROJECT: (504) 277-6831
- HOPE MINISTRIES: 225.355.0702
- CATHOLIC CHARITIES: 225-376-6890
- NECHAMA: 763-732-0610
- COMPASSION CORPS INTERNATIONAL AT ALL NATIONS FELLOWSHIP: (504) 330-5793
- EVACUTEERS: 504-517-3580
Crisis Cleanup at 1-800-451-1954 can help you request cleanup assistance from these and other volunteer agencies.
We will continue to post a weekly update on flood assistance resources and related information once a week until the information stops coming in. Stay dry, Baton Rouge.