Flood and Water Damage Restoration Help Throughout Louisiana

Heavy Rain, Gulf Storms and Sinking Ground

Louisiana's humid subtropical climate brings rain year-round, averaging about 57 inches a year statewide, with a typical range of roughly 50 to 70 inches. Winters are short and mild, and summers are long and hot.

The Gulf of Mexico fuels both downpours and hurricanes, which strike Louisiana on average about once every three years. Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, usually peaking from mid-August through October.

The land itself adds to the risk. Louisiana has lost almost 2,000 square miles of land since the 1930s, and at some locations relative sea level rise is more than four times the global rate.

Louisiana's Main Flood Hazards

• Hurricane storm surge. Laura in 2020 pushed water more than 13 feet above ground at several structures in Cameron Parish, reaching 17.1 feet in Creole. Ida in 2021 produced 10.30 feet above mean higher high water at Grand Isle.
• Extreme rainfall and river flooding. The August 2016 flood produced 20 to more than 30 inches of rain and record crests on the Amite and Comite rivers.
• Mississippi River flooding. The 2011 flood was one of the worst in the state's history and required opening the Morganza Spillway.
• Wind-driven rain. Hurricane winds tear at roofs and siding well inland, letting rain soak attics and walls and creating a need for storm damage cleanup.

Floodwater from surge or rivers is considered Category 3, or grossly contaminated, water. Soaked drywall, insulation and flooring usually need to come out, followed by structural drying and sanitizing.

Not every Louisiana water loss is a disaster headline. Leaking water heaters, failed washing machine hoses and AC drain lines that back up in the summer humidity cause plenty of damage too, and they deserve the same quick response because moisture lingers in this climate.

From the Bayou Region to North Louisiana

Greater New Orleans

Much of New Orleans, Metairie, Kenner, Gretna and Chalmette sits within levee-protected basins that depend on pumping. Katrina in 2005 flooded more than 80% of New Orleans. Our New Orleans water damage page has more on the city.

Northshore and River Parishes

Slidell, Mandeville, Covington, Hammond and Laplace face surge from Lake Pontchartrain, rainfall flooding and hurricane winds. Ida's damage spread inland across this part of Southeast Louisiana.

Bayou Region

Low land and rapid land loss leave Houma and Thibodaux highly exposed. Ida made landfall near Port Fourchon, and the worst damage was in lower Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes.

Capital Region

River flooding from extreme rain is the big concern around Baton Rouge, Denham Springs, Zachary, Prairieville and Gonzales, as the 2016 flood made clear.

Acadiana and Southwest Louisiana

Lafayette and New Iberia see heavy rain and tropical systems, while Lake Charles and Sulphur took gusts of up to 137 mph during Laura. Wind damage like that often lets rain into homes for days before roofs can be repaired.

Central and North Louisiana

Alexandria, Monroe, Shreveport and Bossier City deal with Red River and Ouachita basin flooding, heavy thunderstorms and inland tropical remnants.

Events That Reshaped Louisiana Communities

Louisiana's history is full of water, and each major event taught homeowners something different about where flooding can reach and how long recovery takes. A few events stand out:

1. Hurricane Katrina, 2005: landfall at Category 3, more than 1,500 deaths and up to 15 feet of water in parts of New Orleans.
2. Mississippi River flood, 2011: spring flooding severe enough to open the Morganza Spillway.
3. South Louisiana flood, 2016: about $10 billion in damage from rain, not a hurricane.
4. Hurricane Laura, 2020: landfall at Cameron on August 27 as a Category 4 with 150 mph winds.
5. Hurricane Ida, 2021: landfall near Port Fourchon on August 29 as a Category 4 with 150 mph winds.

Louisiana Contractor and Mold Remediation Licensing

The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) oversees contractors, and its rules cover the kinds of work that follow water damage:

• A Mold Remediation license for remediation work valued at $7,500 or more, which requires 24 hours of board-approved training.
• A Home Improvement Registration for home improvement work of $7,500 or more.
• A residential license for residential construction over $50,000.

Thresholds can change, so confirm the current rules and look up any company with the "Verify Licensure" search on lslbc.gov before you sign. It's also reasonable to ask about insurance and training such as IICRC certification. Our mold removal overview explains what a proper job looks like.

Flood Insurance and Claims After a Louisiana Storm

Flood is excluded from standard homeowners policies, so you need an NFIP or private flood policy. A new NFIP policy generally has a 30-day waiting period, which is why buying one when a storm is already in the Gulf is too late.

The 2016 flood showed that major flooding can hit far from the coast and outside mapped high-risk zones, so consider coverage even if you're inland. After any loss, photograph the damage before mitigation begins and keep receipts for tarping and water extraction.

How WaterQ Helps Louisiana Homeowners

WaterQ is a free referral service. When you call (888) 817-5061, we connect you with a trusted, local restoration company in your parish. The restoration company you're connected with inspects, extracts, dries and handles flood cleanup directly with you.

Before the restoration crew arrives, a few steps help:

• Shut off the water main if a pipe or appliance is the source.
• Turn off power to wet areas only if you can reach the breaker without standing in water.
• Move furniture, documents and photos out of wet rooms.

In Louisiana's heat, mold can begin growing within 24 to 48 hours on wet materials, so don't wait. Return home only when authorities say it's safe, avoid standing water near electricity, and call (888) 817-5061 any time, day or night.

Official Louisiana resources

• Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (license verification)
• Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP)
• Louisiana Department of Insurance
• FEMA Flood Map Service Center