FEMA gives Louisiana storm victims more time to seek disaster aid

BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana residents whose homes and property were damaged by Tropical Storm Arthur have been given another month to seek federal disaster assistance, providing additional time for families still working through repairs, insurance claims and the financial aftermath of the June storm.

Homeowners and renters in Avoyelles, Lafourche, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St. Tammany and Terrebonne parishes now have until Oct. 1, 2026, to apply for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The extension came after Louisiana requested additional time for storm victims to complete the recovery process.

Arthur struck Louisiana on June 17 and 18, bringing torrential rainfall, flooding and severe weather across portions of the state. State officials reported that Avoyelles and Pointe Coupee parishes experienced record or near-record rainfall over a 12-hour period, while the storm also produced confirmed tornadoes.

The disaster assistance expansion follows a series of federal actions aimed at helping residents and businesses recover. In July, Lafourche and Pointe Coupee parishes were added to the areas eligible for FEMA assistance, joining Avoyelles, St. Landry, St. Tammany and Terrebonne parishes.

A longer recovery for many families

The additional time is significant for residents whose damage may not have been immediately apparent or who are still navigating insurance claims and documenting losses.

Louisiana officials have also urged storm victims to understand the distinction between flood and wind damage when seeking compensation. Flood damage generally requires flood insurance, while certain types of non-flood water and wind damage may fall under homeowners insurance policies. The Louisiana Department of Insurance has continued providing assistance to policyholders affected by Arthur.

Residents with flood insurance should file a claim with their insurance provider before seeking FEMA assistance. Federal disaster assistance generally cannot duplicate benefits already provided by insurance, although residents may still qualify for assistance for eligible losses that insurance does not fully cover.

How to apply

Residents can apply for FEMA assistance online through DisasterAssistance.gov or through the FEMA mobile app.

In-person assistance is also available at Disaster Recovery Centers, including:

Pointe Coupee Parish Library — Innis Branch
6444 Louisiana Highway 1
Innis, LA 70747
Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Terrebonne Parish Main Library
151 Library Drive
Houma, LA 70360
Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Closed Monday, Aug. 10.

Residents should keep records of storm-related damage, repair costs, insurance information and other documentation that may support their applications.

The storm recovery effort also extends beyond individual households. The U.S. Small Business Administration has made low-interest disaster loans available to eligible Louisiana businesses, private nonprofit organizations and residents affected by Arthur. Certain businesses and nonprofits in additional parishes may qualify for economic injury assistance.

The IRS has separately extended certain federal tax filing and payment deadlines for eligible taxpayers in the disaster area until Nov. 2, 2026.

For residents who suffered damage but have not yet applied for federal assistance, the message from state and federal officials is straightforward: the recovery clock has been extended, but the deadline has not disappeared.

Residents should complete their FEMA applications as soon as possible rather than waiting until the Oct. 1 deadline.