Louisiana Mapping Project Videos

Louisiana Mapping Project (LaMP) Begins Delivery of NEW Flood Maps

FEMA is now releasing “Preliminary” Flood Insurance Rate Maps to the southern Louisiana Parishes. These maps represent the most up-to-date, accurate flood hazard information ever developed for the state’s coastal region. Once finalized, they will serve as the basis for the communities’ flood plain management and the primary tool in preventing loss of life and property due to flooding.

As the maps are released, it is critical that residents and business owners in the affected parishes understand the flood maps and be able to identify their individual level of risk. This information will help them make more informed decisions and better protect their families and property from future floods.

The LaMP team is engaged in an intensive outreach and public affairs effort to help citizens in the affected parishes understand the new flood data and its affect on their individual situations. News releases will announce when maps are delivered to individual parishes and interactive versions of the proposed maps (as well as the current maps) will be posted on this website. (example)

Map Adoption Process

Delivery of the Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps is the first step in an open process designed to elicit interaction between the communities and the FEMA map makers. Ample time is given for the communities to understand the proposed maps and to submit Appeals or Protest. This process is prescribed by regulation. FEMA follows Federal Code Regulation 65.14 in preparing the Final Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM)s. Learn more about the adoption process from the resources listed for media below or click on the RESOURCES tab of the LaMP header above.

Open House

Before the appeal period is set, each of the parishes will have the opportunity to hold an FEMA-supported open house for its residents. During this time, the interactive maps on this site will be used to help individuals determine what risks the new maps show for their property. (example)

We need your assistance in making the public aware of these Open House meetings as they are scheduled. If you are not on the FEMA TRO Press Release system, please contact us at 1-866-751-3989 or by email.

Managing Flood Risk

Individuals should become engaged in the adoption process early, to determine the impact of the map changes on the risk status of their property.

FEMA has made every effort to engage the best scientific and engineering minds in the country. The new flood risk maps are the best available data as to the flooding risk south Louisianans face. While some may be overwhelmed or dismayed by the information, they need to know their risk. Some may think that the elevation is too high because they did not experience flood levels as high as the maps are showing. The new maps depict the 1% chance of flooding. They include modeling that shows what a hurricane making a direct approach to each segment of the coast would generate. While 1% may not seem like much, it means that over a 30 year mortgage the chance of flooding is 26%.

Knowing their risk, citizens can take steps to protect themselves and their property. There are many measures like drain valves, flow vents and landscaping that can help a home to better withstand a flooding event. Local communities, Louisiana DOTD and FEMA are resources for assitance. more

One of the most important resources is the insurance agent. Louisiana has a cadre of insurance agents versed in the National Flood Insurance Program. They can help citizens to understand their risk and how best to protect their rating status when maps are changing.


More Information:

Reporters Roundtable Briefing
February 15, 2007
Presentation

Map Adoption process:
Link to FEMA website adoption process.

Open House Materials


BACKGROUNDER PRESENTATIONS

Louisiana Mapping Project (LaMP) Technical Workshop
At the initial Louisiana Mapping Project (LaMP) Technical Workshop there were five presentations made related to technical aspects of the National Flood Insurance Program and the development of new Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps.  These workshops were conducted at four different locations across the 15 LA coastal parishes.
http://lamappingproject.com/latest-Technical Presentations.html

Best Practices Video
September 4, 2007 - Jack Stephens relates his experiences with Katrina as sheriff of St. Bernard Parish, LA. and how building his home according to best practices allowed his home to survive Katrina's devestating impact.
High Quality (Broadband Connection)    Low Quality (Dial Up Connection)

FEMA Meets with Parish Community Executives to Discuss Flood Remapping Efforts.
February 16, 2007 - FEMA Region VI and the FEMA New Orleans Transition Office (TRO) held a series of Executive Group Coordination meetings during February 13-16, 2007 with leaders from the 15 Parishes and local communities affected by the Louisiana Gulf Coast Flood Data Recovery Project (LaMP).  The purpose of these kick-off meetings was to initiate dialogue between FEMA officials and those community officials who will be using the flood recovery information as they adopt and implement the new Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs) in their local areas.
http://lamappingproject.com/latestnews1.html