LaPlace Flood Cleanup and Water Damage Restoration, Any Hour

River in Front, Lakes Behind

LaPlace is the largest community in St. John the Baptist Parish, stretched along the east bank of the Mississippi River about 25 miles west of New Orleans. It is unincorporated, so the parish government handles drainage, floodplain rules and emergency preparedness. Most of the community sits around 10 feet above sea level.

The river gets most of the attention, but the parish points to other sources first. According to St. John Parish, the main causes of flooding are rain and coastal inundation from Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Maurepas and Lake Des Allemands, with backwater flooding from the Mississippi possible in some places. More than 87 percent of the parish is mapped as a Special Flood Hazard Area, mostly Zone AE, with VE zones along the lake shores.

That mix explains why water damage in LaPlace can show up as anything from slow-rising lake water in a subdivision to rain pouring through a damaged roof on Airline Highway.

When Isaac Came In Through the Back Door

Hurricane Isaac was only a Category 1 storm when it came ashore on August 28 and 29, 2012, with 80 mph winds. It moved slowly, though, and St. John the Baptist Parish had no hurricane levee on its lake side. An 8 to 10 foot surge pushed in from Lake Maurepas and Lake Pontchartrain, and about 5,000 homes in LaPlace flooded, even though the Mississippi River levee held.

Nine years later, Hurricane Ida made landfall near Port Fourchon on August 29, 2021, as a Category 4 storm and badly damaged LaPlace. Roofs, siding and trees took heavy wind damage, and long power outages made drying harder.

LaPlace has also seen tornadoes, including an F4 in 1983, an F3 during Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and more damage in early 2016. After any of these events, storm damage cleanup in LaPlace starts with closing up openings and getting wet materials out.

The West Shore Levee Project and What It Changes

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is building the West Shore Lake Pontchartrain project, which runs from the Bonnet Carre Spillway to Garyville. It includes 18.5 miles of levees, 11 floodwalls, 7 drainage structures, 5 gates and 2 pump stations, and it is designed for 100-year level hurricane risk reduction for more than 60,000 people in St. Charles, St. John the Baptist and St. James parishes. The Corps lists completion in St. John and St. Charles as slated for early 2030.

Until then, and even after, heavy rain still has to drain off low ground. Parish guidance suggests elevating structures where possible, installing sewer backflow valves, and keeping temporary barriers such as sandbags and plywood ready.

Look up your property on the parish's flood maps page, and plan for flood cleanup before you ever need it.

If Water Is Already Coming In

• Get safe first. If lake water is rising, follow parish evacuation guidance. Inside, avoid standing water near outlets, extension cords and appliances.
• Shut off what you can. Close the main water valve for a plumbing leak, and turn off power at the breaker if you can reach it from a dry spot.
• Assume surge and floodwater are dirty. Lake surge and street water count as Category 3 water. Wear gloves and boots, and wash any skin that touches it.
• Record the damage. Take photos and video of water depth, wall stains, ruined belongings and outside damage before cleanup begins.
• Bring in help. Call (888) 817-5061 and we will connect you with a local restoration company that can begin emergency water removal.

How Local Crews Restore a Flooded LaPlace Home

Water damage restoration in LaPlace follows a familiar path, adjusted to the type of water and the building.

Pump-out and extraction

Standing water is pumped out of rooms and garages, then extractors pull water from flooring and carpet.

Flood cuts and sanitizing

After lake or street flooding, drywall is usually cut a set distance above the water line, and wet insulation and carpet pad are removed. Remaining surfaces are cleaned and sanitized.

Structural drying

Dehumidifiers and air movers run around the clock, and moisture readings are logged until framing and subfloors reach dry targets. See how structural drying works.

Rebuild

Then comes water damage repair: drywall, flooring, doors, trim and cabinets. Check any repair contractor's license on lslbc.gov before you sign.

Keeping Mold Out of a St. John Parish Home

EPA guidance says mold can begin growing on wet materials within 24 to 48 hours, and in a humid river parish after a hurricane, with no power for fans or air conditioning, that clock runs fast. Removing soaked drywall, insulation and carpet promptly is the most reliable prevention.

For mold removal in LaPlace on a larger scale, Louisiana sets a licensing requirement. Remediation work valued at $7,500 or more calls for a Mold Remediation license from the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors, which requires applicants to complete 24 hours of board-approved training. Because the board can revise its thresholds, confirm current rules on lslbc.gov and use its Verify Licensure search.

Learn about containment and cleanup on our mold removal page.

Flood Insurance, Claims and Business Properties

Because most of the parish is a Special Flood Hazard Area, flood insurance is required for federally backed mortgages in AE and VE zones, and the parish participates in the NFIP. Homeowners policies generally do not include flood, and a new NFIP policy usually takes 30 days to begin, so buy coverage well before hurricane season peaks.

Wind and rain entering through a damaged roof is typically a homeowners claim, while rising water is a flood claim. Separate photos, receipts and drying records for each make the process clearer.

LaPlace is home to the Port of South Louisiana's headquarters, and businesses along Airline Highway and the interstates often need drying that keeps operations moving. Business owners and property managers can call (888) 817-5061 to be connected with local providers who handle commercial losses. WaterQ is a free referral service and cannot predict any insurer's decision.

LaPlace and Surrounding River Parish Communities

Our free referral line connects callers in LaPlace and nearby St. John and St. Charles parish communities with independent local restoration providers.

Neighborhoods

• Airline Highway (US 61) corridor
• River Road area

Nearby communities

• Reserve
• Garyville
• Edgard
• Wallace
• Montz
• Norco
• Destrehan
• Kenner

Local emergency and flood resources

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

• St. John the Baptist Parish Emergency Preparedness
• St. John Parish Mass Notification System sign-up
• St. John Parish Flood Protection Information
• USACE West Shore Lake Pontchartrain Project