St. Mary Parish sits right in the heart of Louisiana’s coastal region, which makes it particularly vulnerable when hurricane season rolls around each year.
With the Gulf of Mexico nearby and numerous waterways running through our communities, businesses across Franklin, Morgan City, Patterson, Berwick, and surrounding areas face real challenges when storms hit.
While many business owners are well-prepared for hurricane-force winds, the flood risks that come with these storms are often underestimated.
In reality, flooding can cause more widespread and lasting damage than wind alone. For local businesses, this means that standard preparations may not be enough to fully protect operations, employees, and years of hard work.
Understanding Flood Risks in St. Mary Parish
Our parish’s geography makes flooding a serious concern during hurricane season. The area’s low elevation, combined with its proximity to the Atchafalaya River and other waterways, creates a high risk of flooding when hurricanes push water inland.
When flooding occurs, business operations can come to a complete stop. Water damage can impact everything from computer equipment and inventory to the infrastructure that keeps a business running.
Even a few inches of water can destroy flooring, damage walls, and create electrical hazards that force long closures for cleanup and repairs.
The disruption goes beyond physical damage too. Employees may be unable to get to work, suppliers can experience delays, and customers often can’t access businesses during or after flooding events. These operational disruptions can be just as costly as the physical damage itself.
What Flood Insurance Covers vs. Standard Insurance
Many business owners assume their existing property insurance will cover flood damage, but that’s not the case. Standard commercial property insurance policies specifically exclude flood damage, leaving businesses vulnerable to serious financial setbacks.
Flood insurance is a separate policy that covers damage caused by rising water, storm surge, and other flood-related events.
This can include damage to buildings, equipment, inventory, and other business property. Some policies also offer coverage for business interruption, helping replace lost income while operations are paused.
The distinction matters more than most people realize. Wind damage from a hurricane might be covered under standard insurance, but if the same storm causes flooding, those damages won’t be covered without a separate flood policy. Without it, businesses are often left to cover costly repairs and replacements out of pocket.
Financial Impact of Flood Damage on Businesses in St. Mary Parish
Flooding can affect businesses in St. Mary Parish in several major ways:
- High repair costs. Cleanup is just the beginning. Repair expenses can quickly reach tens of thousands of dollars, especially when flooding damages electrical systems, HVAC units, or the structural components of a building.
- Lost inventory. Whether it’s merchandise, raw materials, food supplies, or equipment, water can ruin essential inventory in a matter of hours. For retail, restaurant, or manufacturing businesses, those losses can disrupt operations for weeks or longer.
- Revenue loss during closures. Even if repairs are completed quickly, many businesses struggle to bring customers back right away. Road closures, power outages, and overall community recovery can all slow down revenue. For small businesses, the combination of lost income and repair costs can be difficult to recover from.
Benefits of Having Flood Insurance During Hurricane Season
Flood insurance offers several key benefits for business owners in St. Mary during hurricane season:
- Peace of mind. Having flood coverage means business owners can focus on preparing their teams and facilities instead of worrying about the financial fallout. Knowing there’s protection in place helps reduce stress during an already unpredictable time.
- Faster recovery. With insurance in place, businesses can begin repairs and replace damaged property immediately, without waiting for emergency loans or dipping into savings. This speed can make all the difference between a quick reopening and a long, costly closure.
- Protects people. When flood coverage is handled, businesses can prioritize safety. Owners and managers can focus on evacuating staff and customers or taking other emergency precautions, rather than scrambling to protect physical assets.
- Supports reopening. After the storm passes, insured businesses are more likely to reopen quickly. That helps get employees back to work and services back online, something the entire community depends on during recovery.
How to Get Flood Insurance in St. Mary Parish
Getting flood insurance requires some advance planning since most policies typically come with a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins. That’s why it’s important to secure coverage well before hurricane season kicks off, ideally by early spring.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) offers flood insurance policies through local insurance agents throughout St. Mary Parish. NFIP policies are available to businesses in communities that participate in the program. Private flood insurance is also an option, and in some cases, may provide broader coverage or more competitive pricing.
When reviewing flood insurance options, business owners should carefully consider:
- Building coverage limits
- Value of equipment and inventory
- Potential business interruption costs
Working with a local insurance agent who understands the specific flood risks in St. Mary Parish can help ensure you’re fully covered and not caught off guard when the next storm hits.
Read more: Hurricane Readiness Tips for Businesses in St. Mary Parish
Protecting Your Business and Community
Flood insurance isn’t just about protecting an individual business. It’s also about strengthening the resilience of our entire community during hurricane season. When local businesses can recover quickly from flood damage, they continue to provide jobs, serve customers, and support the economic stability of St. Mary Parish.
Take action now to secure coverage for your business, and encourage other local business owners in your network to do the same.
Our team at St. Mary Economic Development is here to help businesses throughout Franklin, Morgan City, Patterson, Berwick, and across St. Mary Parish access small business resources and support to build stronger, more resilient operations.
Contact us today to learn more about available programs and assistance designed to help local businesses prepare for hurricane season.