Louisiana's water problems come in layers. Hurricanes push surge across low coastal parishes, slow storms can stall over the Baton Rouge area and send inland rivers to record crests, and the state's long, humid summers make it hard for wet drywall and flooring to dry on their own. A house in Lake Charles, one in Houma and one in Denham Springs can all flood in the same year for different reasons.
The Restoration Job is a free call-connection service. Call (888) 317-9980 any time and we'll connect you with an independent restoration provider that serves your parish. Providers typically handle water damage restoration from extraction through drying and repairs, and many offer emergency service after storms.
Storm Surge and Wind From Cameron to Grand Isle
Hurricane Laura made landfall at Cameron on August 27, 2020, as a Category 4 storm with 150 mph winds. The National Weather Service in Lake Charles calls it the strongest hurricane to strike Southwest Louisiana since records began in 1851. Several structures in Cameron Parish had more than 13 feet of water above ground level, and the eyewall passed directly over the Lake Charles metro.
A year later, Hurricane Ida came ashore near Port Fourchon on August 29, 2021, also with 150 mph winds. Surge reached about 10.3 feet above normal high tide at Grand Isle, and lower Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes took the worst of it. After storms like these, the inside of a home is often damaged twice: by surge or flooding, and by rain coming through torn roofs and broken windows in the days that follow. Tarping and storm damage cleanup early can limit that second round.
Inland River Flooding: What August 2016 Taught
Between August 11 and 13, 2016, 20 to 30 inches of rain fell across parts of southeast Louisiana, with 26.14 inches recorded near Zachary. The Amite, Comite, Tickfaw, Natalbany and Tangipahoa rivers all reached record levels, and the National Weather Service estimates 50,000 to 75,000 homes and businesses flooded, mostly in East Baton Rouge, Livingston, Ascension and Tangipahoa parishes.
The lesson for homeowners is that flood risk is not limited to the coast. Standard homeowners policies do not cover rising water, so a separate flood policy through the National Flood Insurance Program is worth reviewing even well inland.
New Orleans, Levees and Low Ground
When the levees failed after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the National Hurricane Center reports that about 80 percent of New Orleans flooded, to depths of up to roughly 20 feet. Water that sits for days inside a building behaves very differently from a short leak: it soaks deep into framing, mixes with sewage and fuel, and leaves silt behind.
- Treat any floodwater or backed-up drain water as contaminated and keep children and pets out.
- Plan on removing soaked drywall, insulation and carpet rather than drying them in place.
- Ask for sewage cleanup procedures if toilets or floor drains backed up.
- Photograph water lines on walls before anything is torn out, for insurance.
Raised Houses, Slabs and Louisiana Humidity
Louisiana housing ranges from homes raised on piers to slab-on-grade subdivisions, and each fails differently. Raised homes keep water out of living space in moderate floods but can hide wet subfloor, ductwork and insulation underneath. Slab homes take water directly into flooring, cabinets and the bottom of walls.
The EPA recommends drying water-damaged materials within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth. In Louisiana heat and humidity, especially when power is out after a storm, that window is easy to miss. If materials stay wet longer or you see growth, mold remediation that removes affected material and dries the structure is usually more effective than surface cleaning.
Contractor Rules, Insurance and Emergency Contacts
The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors has a mold remediation classification. According to the board, a license is required when the value of mold remediation work exceeds $7,500, and the classification calls for 24 hours of board-approved training. Confirm current requirements and look up any contractor with the LSLBC before signing.
For evacuation orders, shelters and disaster declarations, follow the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) and its Get A Game Plan program, along with your parish emergency office.