ACADIA PARISH, La (KLFY) -- Home and business owners in Acadia Parish are still recovering from the heavy rainfall that caused flooding.

It's been nearly two weeks since flooding damaged homes, vehicles, and businesses. News 10 spoke with the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness on what to do when faced with natural disaster recovery and programs available for those affected.

Heavy rains on and off days apart caused up to 13 inches of water to flood areas throughout Acadia Parish. Because of this, home and business owners need recovery assistance. However, Allison Saari, Executive Officer and Recovery Operations Director of GOHSEP, said FEMA assistance isn't available because the extent of damage does not qualify to receive this type of federal funding.

"This is clearly an event that we would not see FEMA individual assistance come in and be able to help those individuals that are affected." Saari

Saari said the flooding that happened in Acadia Parish is considered a minor natural disaster, and the information that has been gathered at a state level has determined that the damages are minor. Although the damage is not considered extensive enough for FEMA to render aid, Saari said more information has to be gathered to determine if the parish is eligible to receive a disaster declaration to apply for loans. She said if the parish is unable to apply for loans, there are still other options.

"Whenever we have these smaller disasters that don't reach a limit where you're going to receive any federal assistance, we really have to depend on those volunteer agencies working within those parishes to understand what those unmet needs are." Saari said.

Saari said the first line of defense during the recovery process is to contact your home insurance provider to see if the damage is covered. But, if that is not an option, organizations like Catholic Charities of Acadiana, the American Red Cross, and other private non-profit organizations are additional resources people can use in these situations.
      
She said "I would encourage individuals to call the 211 system. That would be a great resource, and they can also try to get in touch with the local OEP office that may have a better list of those organizations that they're working directly with."

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