Below is information to help you in recovering and preparing to file a claim. You can call us for a free consultation if you have any questions: 225-888-8888.
River Flood Levels
Up-to-minute information.
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Information About FEMA Assistance
FEMA: MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION DECLARED ON 8/14/16
Designated parishes as of 8/16/16:
- Acadia
- Ascension
- East Baton Rouge
- East Feliciana
- Evangeline
- Iberia
- Iberville
- Jefferson Davis
- Lafayette
- Livingston
- Pointe Coupee
- St. Helena
- St. Landry
- St. Martin
- St. Tammany
- Tangipahoa
- Vermillion
Visit
www.disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362) to apply for assistance. Here is a
FEMA Assistance Program fact sheet with additional information.
Some very important items FEMA will need, to assist you in getting your money, you have to do these steps:
*Have your camera time and date option turned on in every picture
Download an app that has date/time on it if your phone doesn't have that (search i.e. Timestamp Camera Free) on your smartphone app store.
Pictures and videos you must get:
- Picture of street sign (with house in background if possible)
- House # on house
- Mailbox with house # showing (and house in background)
- Street view from street sign
- Front, sides, and back of exterior of house.
- Interior entry pictures with watermarks. Pictures of damaged floors, be very generous with pictures
- Video all through the house.
Watermarks are most important!
Having the aforementioned information will speed up the FEMA process. Date and times on pictures are very important!
ADDITIONAL WEBSITE(S)/NUMBERS:
Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness website has numerous links for assistance through many organizations and governmental agencies, including LA Department of Children & Family Services. In additional to FEMA, those affected should also pre-register for a food stamp card called DSNAP (Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) online or via telephone 888-LAHELP-U (888-524-3578). Websites are listed below
.
Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness:
http://gohsep.la.gov/RESOURCES/Disaster-Assistance
LA Department of Children & Family Services:
http://www.dcfs.louisiana.gov/#3
DSNAP Login/Registration Page:
https://dsnap.dcfs.la.gov/CustomerPortal/CPLogon.jsp
Important Phone Numbers
Government and Emergency Agency Numbers
| American Red Cross: |
(866) 438-4636 |
| Animal Control: |
(225) 774-7700 |
| Baton Rouge Police: |
(225) 389-3831 |
| Baton Rouge Fire: |
(225) 354-1400 |
| Baton Rouge Shelters: |
(866) 438-4636 |
| City of Baker: |
(225) 778-0300 |
| City of Central: |
(225) 262-5000 |
| City of Zachary: |
(225) 654-0026 |
| DEMCO: |
(225) 261-1160 |
| DSNAP (Disaster food stamps) |
1-888-LA-HELP-U (dcfs.la.gov) |
| Dept of Public Works: |
(225) 389-3158 |
| EBR Sheriff's Office: |
(225) 389-5000 |
| EMS: |
(225) 389-3300 |
| Entergy: |
(800) 968-8243 |
| Gouging Complaints: |
(800) 488-2770 |
| Governor's Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness: |
(225) 925-7500 |
| LA State Police (Road Closures): |
(800) 469-4828 |
| LA State Police (Troop A): |
(225) 754-8500 |
| Mayor's Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness: |
(225) 389-2100 |
| Special Needs Shelter: |
(800) 349-1372 |
| U.S. Geological Survey: |
(225) 389-0281 |
Most Common Car Insurance Carriers
| Allstate: |
(800) 255-7828 |
| Farm Bureau: |
(866) 275-7322 |
| Geico: |
(800) 861-8380 |
| GoAuto: |
(225) 926-7000 |
| Imperial Fire and Casualty: |
(800) 860-7777 |
| Liberty Mutual: |
(800) 313-8844 |
| Nation General: |
(800) 325-1088 |
| Progressive: |
(800) 776-4767 |
| Shelter: |
(800) 743-5837 |
| State Farm: |
(800-782-8332) |
| The General: |
(800) 280-1466 |
| USAA: |
(800) 531-8722 |
| US Agencies: |
(800) 420-3712 |
Flood Insurance Carriers
| Bankers Insurance Group: |
(800) 627-0000 |
|
(727) 823-4000 |
| Louisiana Citizens: |
(225) 568-6455 |
24 Hour Flight Information
| American Airlines: |
(800) 223-5436 |
| Delta Airlines: |
(800) 325-1999 |
| United Airlines: |
(800) 864-8331 |
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: James E. Stalls, Jr.
Private: 225-346-5117
Public: 225-346-5222
WARNING: “Storm Chasers” Will Target South Louisiana
Baton Rouge, LA, August 15, 2016….In light of the widespread flooding throughout the Baton Rouge area, BBB of South Central Louisiana is warning homeowners affected by the disaster to beware of “storm chasers” and out-of-town soliciting businesses & contractors.
While not all storm chasers are scammers, they may lack the proper licensing for Louisiana businesses, offer quick fixes or make outlandish promises they cannot possibly deliver.
BBB offers the following tips for victims of the flooding:
- Do your research. Find businesses you can trust at bbb.org/batonrouge. BBB has business reviews on more than a million home contractors. You should also check with the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors, 225-765-2301, which licenses contractors. It is also recommended that you insist that contractors provide proof of insurance before they begin work.
- Get at least three (3) estimates. Get quotes in writing, don’t accept estimates over the phone, and be wary of very low estimates. They could set up a “bait and switch” tactic.
- Get a written contract. Make sure it specifies the price, the work to be done and who will do it, the amount of liability insurance coverage maintained by the contractor, and a time frame.
- Resist high-pressure sales. Some storm chasers use tactics such as the “good deal” you’ll get only if you hire the contractor on the spot. Be pro-active in selecting a contractor and re-active to sales calls on the phone or door-to-door pitches. Disaster victims should never feel forced to make a hasty decision or to choose an unknown contractor.
- Be especially careful of door-to-door contractors. Many municipalities require a solicitation permit if sales people go door-to-door. Ask for identification. Check their vehicle for a business name, phone number and Louisiana license plate.
- Know your rights and responsibilities. Check with your city officials to see what permits contractors need to work on your property. Check with your insurance carrier to make sure your liability insurance covers falls or injuries to contractors.
- Don’t pay for the job in advance. Be wary of any contractor who demands full or half payment upfront. Insist that payments be made to the company, not to an individual.
- Pay by credit card, if possible. This may provide you with additional protection if there’s a problem.
- While most contractors abide by the law, be careful allowing someone you do not know to inspect your home damage. An unethical contractor may actually create damage to get work.
BBB also warns local contractors to beware of storm chasers who offer to pay them substantial amounts of money to use the business’s established name, reputation and phone. They masquerade as local businesses, collect the insurance money and then move on, leaving the real business to deal with unsatisfied customers due to bad workmanship, unfinished work or unfulfilled warranties.
Please contact Better Business Bureau at geauxbbb.org or call us in Baton Rouge at 225-346-5222. We also recommend that you visit our Facebook page for additional flood-related information. Go to Better Business Bureau of South Central Louisiana. This BBB serves the parishes of Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, St. James, Tangipahoa, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana.
