These publications are designed to help Louisiana residents recover from floods, storms, extended power outages and other stressful, dangerous events.

Topics include Be Safe: Stay Healthy After Disaster, Surviving and Recovering from a Power Outage, Restoring Storm-damaged Buildings, Salvaging Water-damaged Belongings, Lawn and Garden Losses, Financial Recovery and Risk Management.

Information on flood insurance claims, electrical systems, food and water sanitation, carpets and rugs, and other necessary steps to take in cleaning a flood-damaged home. (PDF format only)

A floodwall is a self-supporting barrier to floodwater. It may look like a garden wall or privacy fence, but it has more internal reinforcing and a more substantial foundation. This heavier construction keeps the wall from tipping or sliding. The foundation also blocks seepage of water under the wall. This publication includes information on the cost, considerations and construction of floodwalls. (PDF format only)

It’s time to pull out your family disaster plan. Even if you don’t have one, there are still things you can do! Find tips on what to do when preparing for a hurricane and Emergency Management Office telephone numbers for selected Louisiana parishes (most affected by hurricanes and tropical storms). It is designed to print on legal-sized paper. (PDF Format Only)

Is re-treating for termites necessary after hurricanes and flooding? Find those answers and also find information on preventing Formosan subterranean termites from spreading, disposing of termite-infested wood and debris, transporting mulch and other wood debris, inspecting and re-treating, signs of infestation and differences between termites and ants. (PDF format only)

Repetitive flooding affects thousands of Louisiana homes and businesses. In this publication and its companion videotape, a procedure to demonstrate a non-invasive method to flood proofing is explained as it was demonstrated by a Michigan contractor. Special attention is given to adapting the technology for use in Louisiana’s floodplains. (PDF format only)

Managing in Tough Times provides helpful information for families experiencing a disaster, such as how to manage family finances, keep the family strong and stay healthy. Topics include financial survival tips, getting the most from what you have, what bills to pay first, making meaning our of adversity, helping children cope with crisis, keys to coping with stress and cutting food costs.

What is your net worth? What are your resources? How do you stretch your food dollars at home? How do you keep lines of communication open during this stressful time? Find these answers and more in this publication. English and Vietnamese versions are available.

The phrase “wet floodproofing” may sound like a contradiction, but it is the label used to refer to a collection of methods intended to reduce damage to a building when flooding occurs. This publication explains how wet floodproofing lets water into the building but protects the structure, contents and building systems independently. (PDF format only)

This publication includes information explaining how you can use valves, plugs, caps and seepage barriers in flood protection. (PDF format only)

If you protect a building with a floodwall, sealant, plastic wrap or any other barrier, you will need to pump water during floods. This publication includes information and tips for designing and constructing your flood protection system when using pumps. (PDF format only)

Information to help you and your family to get ready for a storm or flood.

Plastic sheeting is a versatile flood barrier. Using plastic sheeting in a sandbag levee improves the levee’s performance significantly. This publication includes information on several ways to use plastic sheeting correctly. (PDF format only)

A levee is a barrier that holds water away from the building. It can protect your home from flooding as well as from the force of water, from scouring at the foundation and from impacts by floating debris. This publication includes information about constructing a private levee. (PDF Format Only)

Most floodproofing systems have openings that need to be closed and watertight during a flood. A panel closure is any flat, firm sheet material used to block one of these openings.This publication includes information about using panel closures. (PDF format only)

Your new home can be safeguarded by using preservative-treated wood and following an integrated pest management program at the time of construction. (PDF format only)

Information to help you.

Information to help you and your family rebuild after storms or floods.

Information to help you and your family to recover after storms or floods.

Information to help prepare livestock for a storm or flood.

Information to help you and your family prepare for a storm or flood.

Water-inflated tubing is a relatively new and effective emergency method of closing a gap, temporarily raising the height of an existing levee or putting a barrier around a building. This publication includes information on using and constructing water-inflated barriers. (PDF format only)

A series of six newsletters from the Family and Consumer Science division of the LSU AgCenter's School of Human Ecology. Created to assist families during recovery after natural or technological disasters, these newsletters feature topics related to family economics, child development and health and nutrition. (They're available in English and a Vietnamese translation.)

This publication contains information on filling and stacking sandbags and on using them for short walls and full levees. (PDF Format Only)

This presentation outlines the AgCenter's response to Hurricane Katrina. The strategic plan illustrates how the AgCenter will address the needs of the Louisiana storm victims through volunteers, education and outreach.

If you live in Louisiana, your primary objective in raising a home is likely to be flood avoidance, even if you’re not in an identified flood hazard area. Elevation is the most effective on-site method of reducing future flood damage.

Whether you are just replacing a few shingles or have damage that requires you to strip your roof down to the rafters, you can take steps at every stage of work to minimize future storm damage. In addition, for new construction and substantial remodeling or repair, you’ll have to meet residential building codes designed to reduce potential roof damage from storms.

Any home repair or remodeling work you do presents an opportunity to help your home fare better in the next storm. Whether you are just replacing siding or you have damage that's requiring you to completely remove all the wall coverings – inside or outside – you can work to minimize future storm damage at every stage of the project.