OK, I lost everything I had in my home. At least I think I did, the news is the water is still rising and last time I had a look at my home the water level was like 4-5 feet over floor level.
So I'm trying to figure out what to do next. I know there are some federal programs which provide assistance. I found IRS is willing to return my taxes.

The question:

Do you have any experience recovering from such a situation? If yes, I'd be thankful for all hints.

First, sorry to hear this, Emerson.

I can tell you from experience helping some friends of our recover from Katrina (we're only 5 hrs away by car from NOLA), is that unless you have flood insurance, NOTHING is going to be covered by your insurance company. They *MAY* cover some things from 'water damage' if you have a hole in your roof, but that's going to be limited. You may probably already know this, but just saying.

The (somewhat) better news, is that you may be able to get things squared away easier than you think. Your sofas and anything with a thick cushion are probably beyond hope. Wood? It *MAY* be able to be dried out. Your electronics may also be salvageable, if you can pop the backs off and get the dirt rinsed from them; worth a try at least. As far as the structure goes, if things haven't shifted on your foundation, take a circular saw to the walls (if they're sheetrock), and get the studs exposed. Not as bad of a job as you may think...cut at the water line. LARGE fans are in order...got to get things VERY dry, so expose things...pull out insulation, get down to bare wood. Make peace with the fact those fans are going to run 24/7 for weeks. Scrub with light bleach solution, to prevent mildew afterwards. If you have plaster walls, you're far better off. Probably over wood lath, so drill a hole between each stud at baseboard level, and let the water out, and another hole at the ceiling to let things dry. They *MAY* crack, though, but the plaster itself holds up pretty well.

DRY EVERYTHING. Seems like stupid advice, but unless you dry each and every picture, book, photo, frame, etc., things go pear shaped pretty quickly. Take one room at a time, and avoid ANY 'contractors' for at least a month or so. Vermin come out quickly in such situations, and the bottom-feeders will target folks quickly.

Maybe some help here: http://www.hpo.ncdcr.gov/dryout.htm

Again, sorry Emerson. Good luck.

Thank you, TB0ne. My flood insurance is not sufficient to recover my house using contractors. I think it may suffice if I do everything myself. There may be some federal aid programs I'm not aware of, so I will keep digging. Nothing else I can do right now anyway. It may take a week before the water recedes below floor level at my place.

Yeah, it's a bitch, but at least you're smart enough to get flood insurance. I'm assuming you're elsewhere now, so grab a small gas-powered generator, a good amount of gas cans, and a circular saw, if you don't already have them, along with a pry bar/claw hammers, and some good gloves. Sheet rock comes off pretty easy, but insulation is a bear to rip out when wet. If you have a crawlspace....I'd pop up some boards and put a 'drain' in the floor, and rinse the mud/silt down with a hose, and save your back.

Not sure of any aid programs, sorry...my friends didn't have flood insurance, so we did it all ourselves.

Sorry for what happened to you

When the building I was living it burned down, I got help from the Canadian Red Cross. They gave me a blanket, basic hygiene items like a toothbrush and toothpaste, coupons for food and clothing and if I had needed it I could have gotten coupons for lodging. From what I see there is also an american branch, so I would recommend checking them out if you need some help getting back up.

Just curious and I know how it sux to homeless. Been there and done that. Never wanna go back to it.

How much land you have?
How is water delivered? Sewage. Local land septic tank or city sewage?
Building codes?
Electrical? Single phase>Three Phase? How many amp box?

Are you married and is the wife understanding and a bit flexible?

If too personal and you wish to ignore my questions. I understand completely.

The reason I am posting. I lately build my own backup building outside of the house that is more bullet proof than my house. In case of Tornado in my situation/location. It is anchored via a 3 inch thick floor concrete slab so to not blow away.

My other ranch house 300 miles away> I built using cinder block with a outer stucco layer to make the exterior look pretty. But durable. Just posting building ideas for you.

I like these cheap structures also for a quick shelter build. The basic kit should be about 600 bucks in Louisiana and siding can be cheap with a window a/c unit making it bearable.

https://www.carportempire.com/images...el-carport.jpg

You can convert it into this

http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/72859/fi...losed-shed.jpg

Later on when done with the house. You can re-purpose it.



Like I said, Just ideas is all. Not written in stone. These ideas are only temp living quarters
so to be comfy before tearing into your destroyed home. Being a biker. I am used to living outdoors and using solar showers and such and old claw foot bath tubs outdoors.

I am sorry life sux for you right now, I know the stress built on stress on starting over late in life. So good luck from me. Sorry I cannot be more help to you.


Last Idea Picture.

This is just a residential building in countryside. 1.5 acres of land, brick walls. I moved in from Nordic Europe in guest for warmer climate, I was getting too old for all that cold. My own well (and sewer), 6.5 kW solar system ... which does not work in its own, it needs sinewave 60 Hz to activate. I'm thinking about buying one of those inverter generators. Power is two phase. I believe it is common in the USA? Wife is OK, she believes in me. Even after 28 years of marriage ... ain't that weird (tongue in cheek)? The house was built 1969, it has withstood all hurricanes and this is the first time it is flooded. Not sure what happened to my motorcycle, I was forced to leave it on a trailer on my driveway.

Eventually, FEMA will help. You should apply for assistance. And as already suggested contact the Red Cross.

http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4277/

Good luck.

I see they just added my parish to the list, it wasn't listed today afternoon. Signing up ...

That is good.

Hi Emerson, I'm sorry to hear of your loss, my prayers are with you.

Sorry to hear about your home, Emerson. Best of luck in getting things straightened out.

Your place sounds like my ranch. Self contained and no permits or building codes to make things harder.

I would 1st tee off my well to supply water to another structure.
Tee off septic line also for bath and toilet bowl.

Electric sounds tricky < no personal experiance so a bit out of my league >

Brick house means reconstruction is internal only and mostly watching out for mold to keep from
making you and wife ill later on.

Lots of Bleach in your future I think. Squeegee and shovel workouts. Hopefully only drywall damage. No mention of wood or concrete floors. I stick with concrete floors myself.

I had a major flood at my place here in Pecos. But it was a blown water heater while I was away for hours in Odessa Tx. I came home to 4 inches of water through the whole house.

Not as bad as your situation but it took about a week of elbow grease on my end to sort it out. Lots of drywall repair and painting.

No suggestions, because I've not had to deal with anything like this, but best wishes and kind thoughts.

Thanks everyone for your compassion.

Most floors were carpet, one room I remodeled has wood tile. I think all of it has to go, all sheetrock has to come off and all insulation needs to be replaced. Bathrooms will be headache ... so will be the kitchen with built in furniture.