Explanation of flood insurance for disaster victims. Includes tips and help on filing insurance claims.

Here are some toll-free numbers set up to provide disaster assistance:

Flashbacks, feelings of grief or depression and other symptoms can be attributed to the anniversary of a traumatic event such as the loss of a loved one, an accident or a natural disaster. LSU AgCenter family life professor Dr. Diane D. Sasser expects many people will suffer the "anniversary effects" of hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

LSU AgCenter agents in seven South Louisiana parishes are working with other agencies on a project designed to help displaced students meet their ongoing needs. The effort, known as the Partnership for Prevention Education, is targeted toward Louisiana residents affected by last year’s hurricanes.

A sudden reduction in family income can be a traumatic experience, both psychologically and financially. The hardship can be minimized with a proactive approach.

Homeowners have shared with Extension some of the common misconceptions about flood insurance that caused them to suffer financial losses greater than they expected.

Some unscrupulous lenders are using misinformation and high-pressure tactics to prey on vulnerable homeowners. There is no clear-cut definition of a predatory loan, but LSU AgCenter family economics professor Dr. Jeanette Tucker says that it is the result of a lender misleading, tricking and sometimes coercing someone into taking out a home loan at excessive costs and without regard to the homeowner’s ability to repay.

Rent-to-own purchase contracts are popular. Their appeal is great, but if your goal is to own the item, those low weekly payments can add up to a high total cost.

The devastation following a natural disaster provides increased opportunities for identity thieves. People whose identities have been stolen can spend months or years – and thousands of dollars – cleaning up the mess the thieves have made of their good names.

It is important to keep a variety of factors in mind as you attempt to cope with job loss. This document provides tips and strategies for coping.

As a 4-H club member and a caring person, you are probably wondering what you can do to help people your age that had to move away from their home town into a different home and a new city and school. Here are some suggested activities to help new students in your schools or at other schools:

The following steps should be taken to file an insurance claim for disaster damage to your home.

If you rent or lease an apartment, house or business building and the structure is damaged in a natural disaster, read your lease carefully to determine what you need to do regarding damages, terminating the lease, securing temporary housing and other matters.

Although your policy may not cover flood damage to your home, it does offer some protection from loss caused by natural disasters, such as hurricanes.

Natural disasters often bring an influx of con artists looking for ways to take advantage of the suffering and confusion. Consider these tips to protect yourself and your money.

These tips will help you benefit from your good credit and to ensure that your credit record is not harmed in the wake of disaster.

After a disaster such as a hurricane, flood, or fire, important papers may be destroyed, lost or damaged. There are many agencies, web sites and procedures that can help you replace your documents.

After a disaster strikes, whether it is a hurricane, flood, or tornado, you could find yourself without a job and needing a source of income. The Louisiana Department of Labor responds to disasters with unemployment insurance benefits and disaster unemployment assistance.

A flood-damaged home requires special attention to avoid a population explosion of molds, other fungi, algae and bacteria, LSU AgCenter housing specialist Dr. Claudette Reichel says.

The Disaster Recovery Centers have representatives from federal, state, local, and volunteer agencies on hand to answer questions and provide recovery information. Written materials about various assistance programs are also available to individuals and business owners.

Louisiana families impacted by disaster often experience a sudden reduction in income that can be financially and emotionally traumatic. Reduce this hardship by taking positive action.

After a natural disaster many people are housed temporarily in travel trailers provided by FEMA. Safety issues arise from these unique temporary living quarters.

Hurricane season is over, but the hardships from it are lingering into the holidays. Many Louisiana residents endured financial hardships this year, and LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker says holiday budgets may be tight for many.

This holiday season may be more stressful than ever for some people and families. Stress resulting from our recent disasters combined with the usual holiday stress may become overwhelming.

Individuals who lost work due to recent hurricanes may qualify for disaster unemployment assistance, according to LSU AgCenter family economist Dr. Jeanette Tucker.

Hurricane victims will be faced with the question this Thanksgiving, "What are you thankful for?" and some will find this question difficult to answer. The holiday will be a reminder of what’s been lost in floods and devastating winds.

Many people are surprised about the extent of protection their homeowner's insurance policy offers. Although your policy may not cover flood damage to your home, it does offer some protection from loss due to natural disasters, such as hurricanes, according to LSU AgCenter family economics professor Dr. Ann Berry.

If you rent or lease an apartment, house or business building and the structure is damaged in a natural disaster, read your lease carefully to determine what you need to do regarding damages, terminating the lease, securing temporary housing and other matters, advises LSU AgCenter family economics professor Dr. Ann Berry.

After a disaster strikes, whether it is a hurricane, flood or tornado, you could find yourself without a job and needing a source of income. The Louisiana Department of Labor responds to disasters with unemployment insurance benefits and disaster unemployment assistance.

As hurricane evacuees are allowed to return to their homes, LSU AgCenter family economics professor Dr. Ann Berry makes several recommendations for filing insurance claims.

Children's reactions to disaster depend on their age and maturity. Their responses also are affected by how close they are to the event, their level of exposure to it through TV and how they see their parents react.

Those who survive hurricanes and other natural disasters are at risk for behavioral and emotional readjustment problems. Most child and adult survivors experience one or more normal stress reactions for several days after a natural disaster.

Although children, as well as adults, cope with stress every day, disasters, such as floods, hurricanes and tornadoes, often are somewhat different.