LAKE ARTHUR, La. (KLFY) – Business’ were shut down for days and home owners were unable to return to their homes after the flood waters took over the town of Lake Arthur.

And now business owners and residents are wondering what is the next step.

Thursday, a meeting was held at the Community Center in Lake Arthur for residents and business owners who were affected by the flooding.

“I thought it was very productive, it was very well organized,” said flood victim Marlene Ritter, “Everybody knew pretty much what they were talking about and now they have offered resources for anybody who needed them.”

Representatives from FEMA and the Small Business Administration (SBA) spoke with flood victims about what the next step is.

FEMA’s Peter Sessum said a lot of residents have been receiving ineligibility letters but its most likely because of a misunderstanding.

“People have been getting an ineligibility letters and they’re not reading it closely enough to find out why they got that ineligibility letter,” said Sessum, “Sometimes it can be as simple as they didn’t go through their insurance company first and then SBA or the FEMA programs will cover what wasn’t covered by the insurance.”

Once victims apply with FEMA, some are referred to the SBA.

Shusheel Kumar with the SBA said they want to get things back to normal as soon as possible.

“We are looking to encourage as many people who have been affected by this natural disaster to make it into the disaster recovery center prior to the 13th of October for physical damages and the 15th of May for economical injury,” said Kumar, “That’s our primary goal so that they can apply, get the funds, use the fund and get back on their feet.”

Sessum encourages everyone to download the FEMA app to not only help during this recovery process but for any future assistance that is needed.