Oakes Ames, the Boston industrialist, bought land here after the Civil War, and for decades the settlement was known as Amesville. It took the name Marrero in 1916, after the Louisiana politician whose land company developed it. Today it is one of the larger West Bank communities, home to about 32,000 people on roughly 8 square miles stretching from the Mississippi River levee south toward the swamps and marsh of the Barataria Preserve.
We are a free connection service, not a restoration company. Phone (888) 317-9980 any time of day and we'll put you in touch with an independent provider that works in Marrero, whether you need water pumped out, a house dried, or damaged materials replaced.
How the call works: when you call (888) 317-9980, The Restoration Job connects you with an independent restoration provider that serves Marrero. That provider inspects the damage, explains the scope and quotes the work. The Restoration Job doesn't perform restoration itself. Read our referral disclosure.
Between the River Levee and the Barataria Swamp
Marrero is squeezed between two kinds of water. To the north, the Mississippi is held back by its levee. To the south, the land runs out toward the 26,000-acre Barataria Preserve, part of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park, where cypress swamp and marsh begin just outside the developed area. Protecting the neighborhoods in between is the West Bank hurricane system run by the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-West, which maintains about 80 miles of levees and floodwalls plus sector gates and pump stations.
Behind that line, rainfall is the everyday threat. The parish's West Bank pumps average about 0.53 inches of rain per hour of capacity, and a stalled thunderstorm can drop more than that well before the canals catch up.
Renting in Marrero: Who Handles a Leak
For renters, water damage raises questions about responsibility right away. In general, the owner's insurance covers the building and the owner arranges structural repairs, while a tenant's own renters policy, if they carry one, covers furniture, clothing and electronics. Neither a landlord's homeowners policy nor a renters policy normally pays for rising floodwater; that requires flood coverage, and contents coverage for renters is sold separately.
- Tell the landlord or manager in writing, with photos, as soon as you find water.
- Move belongings out of the wet area and keep damaged items until they are documented.
- Ask who is arranging water damage repair and drying, and when. Delays are when mold starts.
Hurricane Ida's Lessons for West Bank Households
Ida came ashore on August 29, 2021, and the levees protecting Marrero did their job. The damage that followed came from wind and from a power failure that lasted days. A large transmission tower near Avondale, a few miles upriver, collapsed and pulled eight major lines into the river, cutting electricity to much of Jefferson Parish. Indoor generator use led to carbon monoxide deaths in the parish in the week after the storm.
For homes, the practical lessons are to tarp roof openings quickly, keep generators outside and well away from windows, and expect that drying cannot really begin until there is electricity or a safely placed generator to run dehumidifiers. Wet ceilings and attic insulation that sit for a week in summer heat almost always need removal.
Sewage and Dirty-Water Backups After Heavy Rain
Not every flooded floor in Marrero is rainwater. When the ground is saturated, sewer lines can surcharge and back up through tubs, floor drains and low toilets. That water carries bacteria and should be treated differently from a clean supply-line leak: porous materials it touches, such as carpet, pad and the lower part of drywall, are usually discarded, and hard surfaces are cleaned and disinfected. A provider offering sewage cleanup will typically wear protective gear and isolate the area while working. Keep children and pets away until it is done.
Muggy Air, Closed-Up Houses and Mold in Marrero
Greater New Orleans sees more than 60 inches of rain in a typical year, and the air stays muggy through most of it. In that climate, the window between a leak and visible growth is short. Practical steps help: run the air conditioning as soon as power allows, open closet and cabinet doors, pull baseboards so walls can breathe, and do not paint or caulk over anything that is still damp. If you smell mustiness weeks after a repair, ask for a moisture reading of the wall cavity rather than relying on how the surface looks.
Marrero Neighborhoods and Surrounding Towns
The same line also serves nearby communities such as:
Frequently Asked Questions
Does living near the Barataria Preserve mean my Marrero home is outside the levees?
Not necessarily. The developed parts of Marrero sit inside the West Bank hurricane protection system, while the preserve's wetlands lie beyond it. Your actual flood zone depends on your address and elevation, so look it up on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center. Being inside the levees reduces surge risk but does not prevent rain flooding, which is why flood insurance is still worth pricing.
My landlord is slow to fix a leak. What should I do in the meantime?
Keep reporting it in writing with dated photos, move your belongings away from the water, and run fans or air conditioning if it is safe. Ask the landlord whether a restoration provider has been scheduled to dry the walls and floors. If you carry renters insurance, notify your insurer as well, since damaged contents are usually your claim rather than the owner's.
Can a house that stood without power for a week after a hurricane still be saved?
Usually yes, though more will need to be removed. After several days in summer heat, wet drywall, carpet pad and attic insulation commonly grow mold and are replaced rather than dried. Framing, slab floors and many hardwood items can often be cleaned and dried. A provider will typically measure moisture throughout the house to decide what stays and what goes.
Where do I report a drainage problem in Marrero?
Jefferson Parish runs the drainage system here, and its Drainage Central office takes complaints, with a dedicated West Bank number, (504) 437-4939. Reporting standing water, a clogged catch basin or a slow canal helps the parish target maintenance. For water already inside your home, call for extraction at the same time so the drying can start.