Louisiana Great Flood

Louisiana Great Flood — Frequently Asked Questions

How much damage did Louisiana Great Flood cause?

Louisiana Great Flood (2016) caused $10 billion in total damages, with $2.5 billion in insured losses. Approximately 146,000+ homes were flooded. FEMA issued $1.7 billion in individual assistance grants to affected homeowners.

What are the key lessons from Louisiana Great Flood for homeowners?

Key lessons from Louisiana Great Flood: 75% of flooded homes were outside FEMA floodplains — the single most important flood insurance lesson; Only 20% of affected homeowners had flood insurance — $8.5 billion in losses were uninsured; Baton Rouge's infrastructure was designed for 100-year events — a 500-year event overwhelmed everything; The 'Great Flood' received significantly less federal aid than comparably-sized disasters in other years.

Does homeowners insurance cover damage from events like Louisiana Great Flood?

Standard homeowners insurance does NOT cover flood damage from events like Louisiana Great Flood. This type of damage — surface water flooding from river flooding and storm runoff — requires separate NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) or private flood insurance. FEMA disaster assistance (average $1.7 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 Louisiana Great Flood?

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.