okay, QD, Julio, Me, and JITB are all correct to an extent.

since I am spending my whole christmas break down in Louisiana, I just got off the phone with my uncle again and here is the scoop.

If your home was damaged more than 50%, then FEMA has to send inspectors to your home to get the exact depth of your current home....apparently any house with more than 50% damage has to be raised to 9ft from whatever their current sea level is. You are not suppose to repair your home unless you have been visited by the FEMA inspectors and given the okay and issued the proper permits to begin construction. You are able to live at your residence, and if your residence does not provide you with sufficient shelter, you can request or will be issued a mobile trailer that you can use and after your home is suitable to live again, you have the option to purchase the mobile home for half of it's value worth.

at this point in time, all the hotels in the local area are inhabited by out of state contractors looking to make a quick dollar. They are urging residents of Louisiana to return home and pick up some local contract work if their jobs have not been returned yet, because it has proved to be a very good source of income.

all homes built after 1998 have to be 12ft above the sea level their home currently sits on, but many of the newer homes faired very well because they already should meet that requirement.

so basically older homes are screwed because, with whatever damage they incurred, they have to have the house dug up and etheir more concrete poured onto the concrete slab foundation, or in worse case scenario, lifted up on pilings. Most of the older homes should already be within 4-5 ft above the sea level they sit on, so only need another 4-5ft to go, but this is a very costly construction job, and it's unclear if insurance will cover this 100%.

FEMA inspectors are going from Parish to Parish, so it is a slow process, but the biggest problem they are having is people not being at their homes and not having any current contact information and people dont know what they want to do once the inspectors come by their homes....they want more guidance on what to do... so that is taking more time from the inspectors to move quickly to give the "go" or "no go" on construction and permits for your home.