BATON ROUGE – The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness and FEMA are encouraging residents to check with local officials before starting to rebuild following last month's flood.

As more financial assistance reaches flood victims, more people are beginning to repair the damages they sustained to their homes and businesses.

Officials want to remind residents of the following:

Work that may require permits often includes plumbing, electrical system, foundation and structural repairs.

Local officials may have building code requirements on how and where flood victims can renovate or rebuild. Officials ask flood victims to find out how repairs or reconstruction can meet current standards and compliance.

Flood victims can contact their parish emergency management office to learn more about elevation and other ways to make their homes or businesses safer and stronger.

For contact information, visit www.gohsep.la.gov/ABOUT/PARISHPA