South Louisiana, specifically Baton Rouge (and surrounding areas) and Lafayette, have been devastated by the recent flooding. In an effort to share the most up to date information for our Red Stick Mom Blog readers, we’ve compiled this list of resources and information to help Louisiana flood victims. We’ll keep it as updated as possible in the coming days – please leave a comment if you know of any drop off or donation opportunities that are missing. Many families in South Louisiana have lost absolutely everything, and the need for help and service will last for a while. All contributions of all sizes will make a positive impact on those who are suffering right now.

Note :: if you are looking for ways to donate (goods or money) or serve the community, find ways to help Louisiana Flood Victims (and specific drop off locations), on New Orleans Moms Blog.

Resources and Information for the Louisiana Flood Victims

Governor’s emergency line :: (225) 342-7015

***If your home flooded, here’s a helpful list of steps to take.***

Most common needs ::

• Underwear (all sizes)
• Socks (all sizes)
• Clorox wipes
• XL and XXL shirts and pants (men & women)
• Clothes (especially sizes 4-5xl)
• diapers
• wipes
• formula
• water
• flip flops/shoes
• pillows
• blankets
• sheets
• feminine hygiene products
• toiletries
• pre-packaged snacks

IMPORTANT: If donating clothes, it is extremely helpful to bag by size/gender and label. Many volunteer hours are being used to sort clothes. Please take the time to pre-sort and label clothes by size, gender and even season. This ensures volunteers can spend their time on other important tasks/

To donate diapers, wipes or formula

To donate diapers, wipes, or formula at any time, there are permanent collection bins at the following locations:

• The Junior League of Baton Rouge Office, 9523 Fenway Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA
• The Baton Rouge Clinic, 7373 Perkins Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70808

If you are a shelter in need of diapers, please contact the Junior League of Baton Rouge Diaper Cooperative Co-Chairs at [email protected].

Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is encouraging those who have experienced loss or damage in the severe storms and flooding to pre-register for benefits under the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP).

DCFS is preparing a DSNAP application for parishes included in the initial federal disaster declaration for the State of Louisiana. Those parishes currently include East Baton Rouge, Livingston, St. Helena and Tangipahoa – although the list is expected to grow rapidly.

The best way to pre-register is online at www.dcfs.la.gov/preregister. However, residents can also pre-register by phone beginning tomorrow, August 16, at 1-888-LA-HELP-U (1-888-524-3578) daily between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Find more information HERE.

Children With Special Needs

Pediatria HealthCare is serving as shelter for medically fragile children. Children with medical needs can shelter in the facility with a family member. Please contact one of our staff members at 225-364-3630 for assistance.

Address :: 8894 Airline Highway, Suite A // Baton Rouge, LA 70815

Emergency Camps for Children

While school is still out and parents across East Baton Rouge Parish are returning to work, the BREC team has opened five emergency camps for children across the parish.

Camps are being held at Independence, Highland, Jackson, Zachary Community Parks and T.D. Bickham Park in Baker. Camps are $14 a day or $50 per week where they will be needed for a longer time.

Parents can register for the camps on-site since online registration is not working due to the severe weather. Camps are open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

More information can be found by visiting brec.org.

Medical Special Needs Shelter

An evacuation shelter for people with special medical conditions only is now open on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge. This shelter is designed for individuals who are homebound, chronically ill or who have disabilities and are in need of medical or nursing care, and have no other place to receive care. Those seeking shelter will be screened by nurses to determine the level of care needed. Only people who meet admission criteria can be sheltered. To access the shelter, a patient or caregiver must first call this triage line phone number: 225-578-6383

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

DUA is available from weeks of unemployment beginning August 14, 2016 and up to February 18, 2017, as long as the individual’s unemployment continues to be a result of the disaster. The Louisiana Workforce Commission is accepting applications for DUA from residents and businesses in the following parishes until the deadline of September 15, 2016: The parishes of East Baton Rouge, Livingston, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, Acadia, Ascension, East Feliciana, Iberia, Lafayette, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry and Vermilion.

Click here to learn more and apply.

If you are displaced and need children’s clothes :: Once Upon a Child at 11102 Airline Hwy, Baton Rouge, LA 70816 is giving away 15-20 clothing items from their clearance rack to anyone who has lost their home and belongings or have been displaced.

If you need to charge your phone, make calls or need free access to internet, the following Verizon locations are open:

• 3131 College Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808 (225) 922-5273
• 3201 Louisiana Ave Lafayette, LA 70501 (337) 347-5045
• 1104-E East Main Street New Iberia, LA 70560 (337) 369-1979
• Baton Rouge Town Center 7415 Corporate Blvd Baton Rouge, LA 70809 (225) 923-1374

Verizon’s providing free service – data, text and voice to customers from August 14-21 – to its customers in certain Louisiana parishes. More details and the list of qualified parishes can be found here. It also should be noted that customers may receive usage alerts, but they can be ignored.

For updated lists of local shelters, news stations have the best information:

• WAFB
• WBRZ

If you suffered water damage

If you suffered water damages as a result of the August 13 flood, The Baptist Association of Southeast Louisiana is a disaster relief program that will gut out your sheet rock and spray to kill the mold that is growing in your home free of charge. If you need assistance please call Stan Statham, Director of Missions at (985) 839-3827 or on his cell at (985) 515-4367, or you can email him at [email protected].

Rescue Information 

For those in need of rescue in Ascension Parish: (225) 621-8360
For those in need of rescue in Baker: (225) 778-0300
For those in need of rescue in Baton Rouge: (225) 389-5000
For those in need of rescue in Central: (225) 367-1254
For those in need of rescue in East Baton Rouge: (225) 389-2100
For those in need of rescue in Livingston Parish: (225) 686-3996 or (225) 686-3066
For those in need of rescue in St. Helena Parish: (225) 222-4413 – press 0

Non-shelter groups that will need donations/supplies ::

St. John’s Methodist on Highland Road is accepting food. You can call ahead to check needs here: (225) 766-4594

If you would like to mail gift cards or supplies via Amazon, you can ship to the Junior League of New Orleans: 4319 Carondelet St., New Orleans, LA 70115

Large shelters accepting donations and volunteers ::

Celctic Studios :: immediate need for volunteers

Satsuma Baptist Church :: accepting and organizing truck loads of supplies

Schools

Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts :: Realizing that many families and schools across the southern region have been impacted by the disastrous flood waters this past week, LSMSA is reopening admission for students who live in the affected areas to offer a safe and secure residence and a strong foundation for academic success.

This Google document will continue to be updated as we learn of additional ways to help.

You can find more ways to help Louisiana Flood Victims, including cash donations, service opportunities, dine in for the cause, and drop off locations, on New Orleans Moms Blog.

Other Helpful Posts For Victims of Flood and Other Natural Disasters

Louisiana Pride :: Sending NOLA Love to Baton Rouge

3 Ways to Help Baton Rouge Flood Victims Immediately {From Louisiana or Afar}

It’s Just Stuff, but It’s Okay to Cry

The Incomparable Beauty of Community

10 Things NOT to Say to Flood Victims

To The 90 Percent, From The 10 Percent

Sights and Sounds of the Storm

As the Floodwaters Rise

Floodwaters Wash Over Me, Wave After Wave

We are the Helpers

How to Help The Louisiana Flood Victims {Drop Offs, Donations and More} :: Moms Helping Moms