NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Dozens of Slidell-area homeowners are braving stifling heat as they clean up and begin repairs after Thursday’s storms. Many are worried about how they will cover the costs.
In Eden Isles’ Blackfin Cove, homeowners are confronting that uncertainty firsthand. Several homes are damaged, with many residents wondering what their insurance will and will not cover.
“I’ve got structural damage, and everyone’s arguing about the work they can do because it’s not FEMA yet,” said military veteran George Renaker.
Renaker says he’s facing a $20,000 insurance deductible, and without a federal emergency declaration, he’s not sure he can rebuild.
“I can’t afford the rates being pushed on us and we’re appealing to our senator or governor to declare this an emergency so we can get relief,” said Renaker.
Blackfin Cove appears to be among the hardest-hit streets from the remnants of Arthur, and contractors have been busy.
St. Tammany emergency operations Director Clint Ory says 124 homes and businesses in St. Tammany suffered damage from what may have been two tornadoes. Until all assessments are complete, officials do not know whether the damage will warrant a disaster declaration and the benefits that follow.
“We need the public to help report the damage through damage.la.gov,” said Ory.
The National Weather Service is still assessing whether the damage was caused by tornadoes.
On the north side of Slidell, drainage remains a problem, and some Bellair residents, including Claire Reimoninq, complain that high water has prevented them from leaving their homes.
“No one’s back here I’m way in the back,” she said.
As for the Bellair subdivision north of town, parish officials say the utility department will assess what can be done to speed up drainage there.
See a spelling or grammar error in our story? Click Here to report it. Please include the headline.
Subscribe to the Fox 8 YouTube channel.
Copyright 2026 WVUE. All rights reserved.