Hurricane and Flooding Resources for Families
EMERGENCY & DISASTER RECOVERY RESOURCES
Sheltering:
Find a shelter or and locate lost loved ones: Red Cross Shelter locator
FEMA assistance:
Register for FEMA Assistance online or call 1-800-621-FEMA.
Food assistance:
If a family or individual thinks that their household could be impacted by damages or lost wages due to a hurricane or other disaster, they should pre-register online or by phone for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program/food stamps (D-SNAP). D-SNAP provides eligible low- to moderate-income households – who do not normally receive SNAP benefits – with help buying groceries due to lost income or damages following a disaster. Find out more or preregister for the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program/food stamps (D-SNAP) by calling 1-888-LA-HELP-U (1-888-524-3578) or visiting their website.
To preregister, people need the following info handy:
- – Name, Social Security number and date of birth for each household member
- – Current address and parish of household
- – Monthly income for each household member
- – All liquid assets cash on hand, checking, savings for each household member
People who ALREADY received SNAP benefits don’t need to register – their benefited will be automatically activated.
Personal items & materials assistance (includes food):
- – United Way: find locations and contact information
- – Salvation Army: enter a zip code to find locations & contact information here.
- – If families lost car seats due to water damage, they can apply for a free one by September 7 or check out these resources for finding free or low-cost car seats
Childcare:
Regional child care resource and referral agencies can help people in flood-affected regions find open child care centers. Parents and caregivers should call their local agency a call to find out
WIC RESOURCES
WIC participants that evacuated to Louisiana from Texas can receive WIC vouchers and services at the WIC clinic closest to them in Louisiana. Louisiana WIC offices will work with Texas WIC to get clients what they need. Find a WIC clinic online or call 1-800-251-BABY (2229).
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RESOURCES
SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990
- – Provides immediate crisis counseling to anyone who may need help in dealing with the problems associated with the severe flooding in the impacted parishes of Louisiana.
- – The Helpline is a 24 hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week resource that responds to people who need crisis counseling after experiencing a natural or man-made disaster or tragedy.
RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH SPECIAL HEALTH NEEDS:
- – Regional resource guides (detailed lists with resources at a parish level)
- – This article lists many resources for helping families with children with special health care needs cope with emergency and disaster situations
RESOURCES FOR BREASTFEEDING:
- – Black Mothers Breastfeeding Association’s 24-hour breastfeeding support hotline (staffed by lactation consultants): 1-800-313-6141
- – LABreastfeedingSupport.org – find breastfeeding resources, including lactation consultants, breastfeeding support groups, and breastfeeding supplies by zip code.