Broussard Water Damage and Storm Cleanup for Homes and Businesses

One City, Two Parishes

Broussard sits just southeast of Lafayette, with Youngsville along its western edge. Unlike most of its neighbors, the city lies in two parishes at once: part is in Lafayette Parish and part is in St. Martin Parish. That matters after a flood, because parish programs, contacts and records can differ depending on which side of the line a property falls.

Founded in 1884 and named for local merchant Valsin Broussard, the community was earlier known as Cote Gelee, a nod to its gently rolling ground. Today it covers about 18 square miles at roughly 33 feet above sea level, and its population has grown to more than 13,000 people.

Very little of that area is open water. Rain is handled by roadside ditches and drainage channels that feed the larger coulee system serving the Lafayette area. When those fill faster than they can empty, water spreads into yards, parking lots and buildings.

Oilfield Shops, Warehouses and Commercial Losses

Oil and gas service companies, food distributors and manufacturers are among Broussard's principal industries. That gives the city far more commercial floor space than its size suggests, and commercial water damage tends to look different from a residential leak.

• Large, flat roofs. Ponding and wind-driven rain can push water through roof seams and into ceiling tiles, offices and inventory.
• Slab-on-grade buildings. Water entering a warehouse or shop spreads across concrete and wicks into wall bases, office partitions and stored goods.
• Business interruption. Every day closed costs money, so drying often has to be planned around operations.
• Contamination. Floodwater that crosses an industrial yard can pick up fuel, oil or chemicals, which changes how cleanup has to be handled.

Facility managers can call (888) 817-5061 for help finding a local provider equipped for commercial water damage restoration in Broussard, including structural drying of larger spaces.

Rainfall, Ditches and Drainage Work Since 2016

The Lafayette area averages close to 63 inches of precipitation a year, and the region's worst floods come from heavy rain rather than surge. In August 2016, 12 to 26 inches fell across the Vermilion River basin and the river crested at 17.62 feet, one of many significant floods on Lafayette Consolidated Government's historical list.

Since then, the City of Broussard has posted a map of completed drainage improvements, including ditches it has cleaned. Improvements help, but no system is designed for every storm. Hurricane Laura in 2020 brought 5 to 11 inches of rain to areas that included Lafayette Parish, according to the National Weather Service.

The city also notes that water entering storm drains is not treated and flows straight to local waterways. The same is true in reverse: water that backs up out of drains and ditches during a storm is untreated runoff, and it should be handled as contaminated during flood cleanup.

Your First Hour After the Water Shows Up

1. Make it safe. If water is near outlets, panels or machinery, keep people out. In a shop or warehouse, shut down equipment and power only if you can do so without wading in.
2. Stop what you can. Close the main water valve for a plumbing break. For a roof leak, move people and valuables out of the drip zone.
3. Know the water category. A clean supply line is Category 1. Runoff from the street or an industrial yard is Category 3 and needs protective gear and professional handling.
4. Record the damage. Shoot photos and video of every affected area, waterlines and damaged stock or furniture before cleanup changes anything.
5. Protect contents. Raise files, electronics and inventory off wet floors.
6. Bring in professionals. Call (888) 817-5061 and we will connect you with a local restoration company for water extraction and drying.

Extraction, Drying and Rebuilding, Step by Step

Whether it is a three-bedroom house or a 20,000-square-foot shop, the core process is the same, just scaled up or down.

Pull the bulk water

Pumps and extractors remove standing water from floors, carpet and pad. On commercial jobs, carpet tiles may be lifted and set aside or discarded depending on the water source.

Find the hidden moisture

Meters and thermal imaging show how far water traveled into drywall, insulation and framing. Those readings set the drying plan and support the insurance claim.

Dry to a standard

Dehumidifiers and air movers run while technicians log readings daily. Soaked drywall is commonly cut a few feet up from the floor to let wall cavities breathe.

Repair

Then comes water damage repair: new drywall, flooring, trim and finishes. A building permit from the City of Broussard may be needed, so ask before work begins.

Mold Prevention and Louisiana Contractor Rules

Per EPA guidance, mold can appear on damp materials within 24 to 48 hours. In a closed-up warehouse or a house without power after a storm, heat and humidity build quickly, so drying should begin as soon as conditions are safe.

In Louisiana, the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors (LSLBC) requires a Mold Remediation license for remediation work valued at $7,500 or more, with 24 hours of board-approved training for applicants. Home improvement work at that same dollar level requires a Home Improvement Registration. Because thresholds can be updated, confirm the current requirements and look up the company with the Verify Licensure search on lslbc.gov.

Read more about professional mold removal and why containment matters on larger jobs.

Claims, Coverage and City Services

• Flood is excluded from most standard policies. Homeowners and many commercial property policies generally exclude flood, which is covered through NFIP or private flood insurance. NFIP policies usually take 30 days to go into effect.
• Look up your flood zone. The city points residents to the FEMA Flood Map Service Center.
• Get alerts. Sign up for Swift911 emergency notifications from the City of Broussard.
• Plan for debris. Check the city's debris pick-up policy before piling wet drywall and carpet at the curb.
• Keep a file. Save photos, invoices, moisture logs and drying reports for your adjuster.

WaterQ does not handle claims, but we can help you get the work started. Our free line is available 24/7.

Broussard and Nearby Lafayette and St. Martin Communities

Callers in Broussard and the surrounding communities of Lafayette, St. Martin and Iberia parishes can use WaterQ's free line to reach independent local restoration providers.

Nearby communities

• Lafayette
• Youngsville
• Cade
• St. Martinville
• Breaux Bridge
• New Iberia
• Milton
• Scott

Local emergency and flood resources

Official sources for alerts, flood maps and preparedness in and around Broussard:

• City of Broussard - Swift911 Emergency Alerts
• City of Broussard - Drainage Maps
• FEMA Flood Map Service Center
• Lafayette Consolidated Government - Flooding