Louisiana homeowner guide

Main water shutoff

Located at the meter near the street or at the main entry into the house. Many older New Orleans and south Louisiana homes have cast-iron plumbing. Know the shutoff location and test that it actually closes before an emergency.

Sump pump and drainage system

Homes in the New Orleans metro and much of coastal Louisiana depend on drainage pumps, both neighborhood-scale (city-run) and home-scale (sump pumps). Test your sump pump quarterly: pour water into the pit and confirm it activates. Keep a battery backup unit for power outages during storms.

Elevation certificate

If your home has an elevation certificate (many Louisiana homes do through NFIP), locate it and store a copy in a waterproof container. Your flood insurance premium depends on it, and FEMA uses it for claims. If you don't have one, contact your local floodplain administrator.

Crawl space vs slab

South Louisiana: most homes are on slab or elevated piers. North Louisiana: more typical crawl space construction. Know what you have; pier-elevated homes in flood zones have different maintenance needs than slab homes.

Humidity and mold monitoring

Louisiana's ambient humidity (80-95% in summer) means mold can develop in any moisture intrusion within 24-48 hours. Check under sinks, in closets against exterior walls, and in the AC system monthly. A musty smell is immediate action territory. Find the source before treating the symptom.

AC maintenance

Louisiana HVAC systems run 10-11 months per year. Change filters monthly in summer. Clean the condenser coil annually. Louisiana's heat index regularly reaches 110-115°F; an AC failure is a health emergency for elderly and young household members.

Roof and shutter inspection

Inspect roof for lifted shingles, deteriorated flashing, and damaged underlayment. Louisiana roofs take constant UV, heat, and wind cycling. If the roof is more than 10 years old, hire a licensed roofer for an annual inspection.

Flood barrier and storm supply preparation

Verify flood barriers (Aqua-Dam, sandbag supply, door barriers) are accessible and functional. Stock 7-day emergency supplies: water (1 gallon/person/day), non-perishable food, medications, battery power, cash. Know your evacuation route and destination.

Generator service

Run under load, change oil, test automatic transfer switch if equipped. Use non-ethanol fuel or treat with stabilizer rated for 12+ months.

Pipe protection for Louisiana homes

Louisiana pipes are minimally insulated; freeze events don't justify the expense in normal planning, but they happen every 3-5 years. When a hard freeze (below 28°F for more than 4 hours) is forecast: insulate exposed pipes in crawl spaces and exterior walls, let all faucets drip, open cabinet doors, disconnect outdoor hoses.

AC system winterization

Unlike northern states, you don't turn the AC system off for winter. But fall is the right time to clean condensate drain lines and schedule annual HVAC service before cooling season ramps up in April.

Flood insurance is not optional in Louisiana

Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flooding. Louisiana has the highest flood insurance participation rate in the US, because the exposure is real. Review your NFIP or private flood policy annually. Understand the difference between building and contents coverage.

Elevate critical systems

HVAC equipment, electrical panels, and hot water heaters on slabs in flood-prone areas should be elevated above base flood elevation. This is code in new construction but many older homes have systems at floor level. A flooded HVAC unit is a total loss; elevation protects it.

Backflow prevention

Install backflow prevention valves on sewer lines if your home is in a flood-prone area. During major flood events, municipal sewer systems back up through floor drains and toilets. A backflow preventer stops this.

Subterranean and Formosan termites

Louisiana, particularly the New Orleans area, has the highest Formosan termite density in North America. Formosan termites consume wood 3x faster than native subterranean species and build carton nests that can survive without soil contact. Annual inspection plus a termite bond is essential, not optional.

Wood rot in humid climates

Any wood that stays wet in Louisiana rots. Inspect decks, porch railings, window sills, and fascia boards annually for soft spots. Replace deteriorated wood promptly; structural wood rot in a Louisiana home can progress from cosmetic to structural in one wet season.

Know your parish evacuation zone

Louisiana parishes publish evacuation zone maps (Zone 1 = highest risk, evacuates first). Mandatory evacuation orders for your zone are legally enforceable in Louisiana. Know your zone, your route, and your destination before a storm is named.

Storm surge vs rainfall flooding

Storm surge is a wall of seawater pushed ahead of the hurricane. In south Louisiana, surge can exceed 20 feet (Katrina was 28 feet in some areas). Storm surge and flooding kill more people than wind. Rainfall flooding follows a different pattern; rivers and bayous rise hours to days after the storm passes.

Levee system awareness

Homes in the New Orleans metro are protected by a levee system (HNTB/USACE). Know which levee district protects your neighborhood, its design storm rating, and what happens if a storm exceeds that rating. The levee system has been strengthened significantly since Katrina but is not rated for a direct Category 5 hit.

If you stayed home: shelter in place protocol

Once winds reach tropical storm force (39 mph), stay inside and do not go out. Move to an interior room on the highest floor NOT threatened by storm surge. If storm surge is forecast, you needed to evacuate. If you didn't, go to the highest floor and wait for rescue.

After landfall

Wait for the official all-clear before going outside. Live power lines on the ground are invisible in flood water. Do not drive into standing water. Report gas leaks and stay away from damaged structures until they're inspected.

Ground-level flooding in Louisiana homes

Most Louisiana homes don't have traditional basements; flooding occurs at grade level. When flood water enters: turn off electricity at the main breaker if water hasn't reached the panel. Do not re-enter flooded space until Entergy Louisiana (1-800-968-8243) or your cooperative disconnects power at the meter. Pump water immediately. Louisiana's heat means mold begins in 24-48 hours.

Sewage backup

Louisiana flood events routinely overwhelm municipal sewer systems. Sewage backs up through floor drains and toilets. Do not flush or run drains during active flooding events; you may be pushing sewage back into your home.

Freeze event pipe response

Shut off the main water valve at the meter. Open all faucets to drain pressure. Louisiana plumbers are overwhelmed for 48-72 hours after a statewide freeze. Document all damage with photos for insurance.

Louisiana heat makes outages dangerous fast

Without AC in a Louisiana summer, indoor temperatures reach dangerous levels within 4-6 hours. Know your nearest cooling shelter. Entergy Louisiana outage reporting: 1-800-968-8243. Cleco: 1-800-622-6537.

Generator safety

Run outside, 20+ feet from windows. Never in the garage, even with the door open. Louisiana sees multiple CO deaths after every major hurricane.

Evacuate and call from outside

Smell of rotten eggs: get everyone out. Leave the door open. Call 911 from outside. Entergy Gas: 1-800-968-8243. CenterPoint Energy: 1-800-752-8036. Do not re-enter until cleared.

Two exits, meeting place, never go back

Walk every room. Identify door and alternate window exit. Louisiana's older shotgun houses and Creole cottages have limited exits. Designate a meeting place at the street. Crawl low under smoke. Call 911 from outside. Never re-enter for any reason.