Archive context: This page was first published after Hurricane Ida in 2021. The resources below are general Louisiana starting points, not a live list of open shelters, restoration times or assistance programs for a particular storm. Check your parish’s current emergency notices before traveling.
If someone needs urgent medical care or rescue, there is a fire, a suspected gas leak or an immediate threat to safety, call 911. For other needs, identify your location and the kind of help needed so you can reach the right local or state resource.
Where to look for help after a Louisiana storm
- Food, shelter and local referrals: Louisiana 211 connects residents in all 64 parishes with available community resources. Dial 211 or text your ZIP code to 898-211. Availability of a specific service can change during a disaster.
- State and parish emergency information: The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness provides state updates and links to preparedness and recovery resources. Your parish emergency management office is the source for local evacuation, shelter and reentry instructions.
- Federal assistance: DisasterAssistance.gov provides a route to check eligibility and apply for FEMA assistance when a qualifying declaration and program are available. A storm’s occurrence alone does not establish that a particular household qualifies.
- Power: Check your own utility’s outage page. Entergy’s outage directory links to maps for its Louisiana service areas. It does not cover every electric provider or guarantee a restoration time.
- Weather: The National Hurricane Center publishes tropical cyclone advisories. Follow National Weather Service alerts and current local instructions for your location, not an old storm graphic shared online.
Save confirmation numbers, dates and written responses when you seek help. A short record can help you follow up after outages interrupt a call or application. Do not post private claim or medical information publicly to obtain a status update.
Keep people safe while power and water are disrupted
Carbon monoxide from a portable generator is odorless and can be fatal. The CDC says to operate generators outdoors, more than 20 feet from windows, doors and vents, and to use battery-powered or battery-backup carbon monoxide detectors. Never run one in a home or garage, even with an open door. If an alarm sounds or someone has symptoms such as headache, dizziness, weakness or confusion, move to fresh air and seek emergency help.
Floodwater, damaged wiring and unstable structures can make cleanup dangerous. The EPA’s flood cleanup resources address indoor air and mold, and OSHA’s hurricane resources address worker hazards. Use qualified help for unsafe electrical or structural work. Medical concerns should be assessed by a clinician rather than diagnosed from a checklist on a claim page.
When the immediate danger has passed
Notify the insurer under the policy, keep the claim number and document damage before safe repairs change the scene. Keep dated photographs, contractor notes, receipts for temporary repairs, and copies of what the insurer requested or paid. Do not delay necessary mitigation to assemble a perfect claim file.
Our article on homeowners’ hurricane insurance claims discusses proof and insurer communication. A business owner can use the separate guide to commercial hurricane damage claims for building, inventory and interruption records. The Baton Rouge hurricane damage practice page explains scope and coverage disputes.
For a claim question after safety and immediate assistance are addressed, contact Babcock Injury Lawyers with the policy, loss date and available correspondence.
Last reviewed: September 26, 2026. Sources checked: September 27, 2026. Check agency and utility pages again for current storm conditions.
This article provides general safety and Louisiana claim information. Emergency instructions, assistance eligibility and coverage vary by location, event and policy.