Disaster Recovery Resources

Zack Klein • November 12, 2020

As the last couple months of 2020 have arrived, this year has certainly been one no one will ever forget. Of course, there has been the COVID-19 pandemic, but the United States has also seen its fair share of natural disasters. Most notably, the hurricanes and other storms that have affected the Gulf Coast region, as well as the forest fires in California, Oregon and Colorado.


Hurricanes Laura, Delta and Sally severely damaged lives, homes and businesses in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, among other states. In addition to these catastrophic events, more recently, Hurricane Zeta wreaked havoc on the Greater New Orleans and Gulfport and Biloxi regions.


On August 27, 2020, Hurricane Laura caused almost $12 billion in damages alone. You can imagine the thousands of lives that were affected in some way, shape or form. The damage has been great, but the need for help has been greater. Following a disaster, you are faced with the process of cleaning-up, rebuilding and finding financial resources (if you need them). Below, we outline the aid that is available state and national levels.


DISASTER RECOVERY RESOURCES

Most states have dedicated agencies to emergency management. In Louisiana, it is called the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, or GOSHEP. Likewise, in Mississippi, it is called the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency or MEMA. These websites have great information about assistance prior-to and post disasters. A comprehensive list of a number of resources for Louisiana can be found here.


FEMA PUBLIC ASSISTANCE

Once a presidential declaration is made in an area (such as a parish or county), it makes different types of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) aid available. The first is FEMA Public Assistance, or PA. According to the GOSHEP website, “the State must meet its threshold of $6,392,055 in damages in order to receive a Presidential declaration.” This program provides funding to public entities, such state government agencies and school districts, private nonprofit organizations (PNPs), and federally-recognized Native American Indian Tribes.


FEMA INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE

Also, there is the Individual Assistance (IA) program, which is also administrated by FEMA. This affords financial or direct assistance to families or individuals for short-term housing, home repairs or home replacement. This program also covers repairs or replacement of personal property items not covered by homeowners or flood insurance. Additional costs may be eligible, visit the FEMA website for a comprehensive list. Currently, the maximum grant per household is $33,000. To be eligible, you must reside within a presidentially-declared disaster area.


SBA LOANS

The Small Business Administration offers low interest loans to both individuals and businesses to assist with repairing or replacing property that has been damaged or destroyed by a declared disaster. For clothing or other property losses, renters and homeowners can get loans up to $40,000. In addition, homeowners can get loans of up to $200,000 to repair homes to their pre-disaster state. These are called home and property disaster loans. The SBA also offers Economic Injury loans, which provides loans to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and nonprofit organizations.

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How to Respond to Property Damage in the First 24 Hours

By Shawn Folks • May 20, 2026
When a disaster strikes and a loss happens, the clock starts immediately. The first 24 hours after a storm event or a fire loss are the most critical for any property. It is at this time that major decisions need to be made, the damage is either controlled or spreads, and the path to recovery is determined. These decisions are often rushed, unclear, and reactive without a plan in place. This is where having a pre-loss plan makes a measurable and meaningful difference. A pre-loss plan creates a clear starting point for you and your team instead of scrambling to figure out who to call, what steps to take, or how to protect the property. It removes reactive hesitation and replaces it with action to recover. Everyone involved knows their role and understands the process, allowing them to move quickly without second guessing. Speed matters in restoration. Water continues to spread; materials continue to deteriorate, and secondary damage, like mold, can begin in as little as 24 to 48 hours. The faster a response is initiated, the more damage can be contained. Pre-loss planning allows that response to begin immediately, not hours or days later. Other than fast action, it also brings clarity during a very chaotic and challenging moment. Property managers, facility teams, and business owners are not left out in the dark trying to make high-pressure decisions on the spot. Instead, they are following a plan that has already been thoroughly thought through, discussed, and tailored to their specific property’s needs. Communication can become fragmented without a plan. Another advantage to pre-loss planning is coordination. There are several moving parts including emergency services, restoration teams, and insurance carriers. Having a plan streamlines communication ensuring that everyone involved is aligned from the start. At Guarantee Restoration Services, pre-loss planning is designed to support the exact moment the dust settles. It’s not just about preparing documents to sign ahead of time; it’s about setting up our partners and clients to respond with confidence when it matters the most. From established points of contact to documented site conditions and response protocols, everything is built to protect time, reduce damage, and maintain control.  Many people think preparation is about preventing the worst from happening. Rather, it is about being ready when it happens. Because when those first 24 hours hit, you do not want to be figuring things out. You want to be executing a well-formulated, personalized plan for recovery. Call us today...where 24/7 isn’t just a number, it’s a GUARANTEE!

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By Zack Klein • May 5, 2026
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