Deadline Approaching in Louisiana for Hurricane Isaac Flood Insurance Claims

BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana property owners whose homes or other structures were damaged during Hurricane Isaac-related flooding have only a short time remaining to file claims for their losses. Most policyholders have until April 22 to complete their proof of loss claims.

Because of the widespread destruction caused by the storm, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) authorized four extensions to the initial 60-day filing deadline, increasing policyholders’ time to file to 240 days from the date of loss.

Hurricane Isaac first made landfall in Louisiana Aug. 28, 2012, with heavy rainfall and flooding occurring several days before and after it hit. For this reason the date of loss varies for property owners.

The NFIP is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Since Isaac made landfall, 13,181 claims have been filed in Louisiana and NFIP has paid out nearly $472 million.

“Hurricane Isaac disrupted the lives of thousands of people here in Louisiana so it was important to give policyholders time to collect information and file their flood insurance claims,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar of FEMA. “However, people who haven’t yet submitted claims to their agents should do so now before it’s too late.”

Policyholders with questions about flood insurance or concerns about their claims should call the Hurricane Isaac Flood Insurance Call Center at 1-866-331-1679 or 1-866-330-7286 or talk to their local insurance representative.

For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, visit online at www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.