Hurricane Ida
August 29–September 2, 2021 · LA, MS, AL, TX, PA, NJ, NY
$75 billion
Total Damage
100,000+
Homes Flooded
$36 billion
Insured Losses
$3.3 billion
FEMA Grants
What Happened
Hurricane Ida made landfall in Houma, Louisiana as a Category 4 (150 mph winds) — tying the record for the strongest landfalling Louisiana hurricane. It struck on the 16th anniversary of Katrina. New Orleans' post-Katrina levee system held, but communities outside the levee protection (Houma, Thibodaux, Grand Isle) were devastated. Ida then tracked northeast as a tropical remnant and unleashed 6–10 inches in 3 hours across New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania — a rate so extreme it overwhelmed storm drains and flooded basements across the entire Northeast urban corridor. NYC subway stations flooded and 13 people drowned in basement apartments in Queens and Brooklyn.
Rainfall Record
16.56 inches in Galliano, LA; catastrophic flooding from remnants across the Northeast (6–10 inches in 3 hours in NYC and NJ)
Affected Cities & States
States
Primary Cities
- New Orleans
- Baton Rouge
- Houma
- Thibodaux
- Lafayette
- New York City
- Philadelphia
Key Lessons for Homeowners
- 1
Ida flooded 13 people to death in NYC basement apartments — 1,000 miles from landfall. No hurricane is a 'Gulf Coast problem'
- 2
Queens and Brooklyn basement flooding from Ida demonstrated that urban storm drain systems are designed for 1–2 inch/hour events, not 3–4 inch/hour extreme rainfall
- 3
Louisiana's post-Katrina levee improvements worked for New Orleans — but 60% of Louisiana's population lives outside the levee protection system
- 4
Homeowners insurance in PA, NJ, NY covers Ida rain damage — but many Northeast residents don't realize they're vulnerable to hurricane remnants
Damage & Recovery by the Numbers
- Total Economic Damage
- $75 billion
- Insured Losses
- $36 billion
- Homes Flooded
- 100,000+
- FEMA Grants Issued
- $3.3 billion
- FEMA Declaration #
- DR-4611
Official Resources
FEMA Declaration Number: DR-4611
Apply for federal disaster assistance at DisasterAssistance.gov — use declaration number above to look up your eligibility.
Dealing With Water Damage Now?
24/7 emergency response across all affected states
Call 24/7IICRC-certified, insurance approved
Related Resources
Other Major Events
Hurricane Ida — Frequently Asked Questions
How much damage did Hurricane Ida cause?
Hurricane Ida (2021) caused $75 billion in total damages, with $36 billion in insured losses. Approximately 100,000+ homes were flooded. FEMA issued $3.3 billion in individual assistance grants to affected homeowners.
What are the key lessons from Hurricane Ida for homeowners?
Key lessons from Hurricane Ida: Ida flooded 13 people to death in NYC basement apartments — 1,000 miles from landfall.
No hurricane is a 'Gulf Coast problem'; Queens and Brooklyn basement flooding from Ida demonstrated that urban storm drain systems are designed for 1–2 inch/hour events, not 3–4 inch/hour extreme rainfall; Louisiana's post-Katrina levee improvements worked for New Orleans — but 60% of Louisiana's population lives outside the levee protection system; Homeowners insurance in PA, NJ, NY covers Ida rain damage — but many Northeast residents don't realize they're vulnerable to hurricane remnants.
Does homeowners insurance cover damage from events like Hurricane Ida?
Standard homeowners insurance does NOT cover flood damage from events like Hurricane Ida. This type of damage — surface water flooding from hurricanes and storm surge — requires separate NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) or private flood insurance.
FEMA disaster assistance (average $3.3 billion per event) provides limited supplemental help for uninsured losses, but is far below typical replacement costs.
How do I apply for FEMA assistance after a disaster like Hurricane Ida?
Apply at DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 within 60 days of the federal disaster declaration for your county. You will need your Social Security number, property address, insurance policy information, and a description of damages.
FEMA will schedule a home inspection. Processing typically takes 1-2 weeks for initial determination. If denied, you have 60 days to appeal with additional documentation.
Who do I call right now for water damage?
Call (888) 840-6512. The line is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and connects you with an IICRC-certified water damage restoration company that serves your area. A recorded menu picks up first: choose water damage or mold, key in your 5-digit ZIP code, and hold through the short silence while the call is passed to the company.
Describe what you can see — where the water is coming from, how long it has been there, and whether it smells — the more specific you are, the faster the right company is on the line. If the source is a pipe or an appliance, shut the main water valve first. Have four things ready and the call goes quickly: the address, when the water started, what is wet now, and whether you have filed an insurance claim.
Still not sure which of these is your situation? (888) 840-6512 · toll-free · answered 24/7
- IICRC Standards
- Answered 24/7
- Ask for the License
- Independent Pros
- No Obligation