FEMA Releases New Coastal Flood Maps to Vermilion Parish
Release Date: March 13, 2008
Release Number: 1603-775
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ABBEVILLE, La. -- Citizens throughout Vermilion Parish now have new tools they can use to better protect themselves from the effects of future flooding.
Those tools are new-and-improved Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMS) that utilize the latest in technology and information to identify flood-hazard areas throughout the parish.
"This is a great step forward for Vermilion Parish," said Acting Associate Deputy Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Gulf Coast Recovery Office Jim Stark. "By having these updated flood maps, residents and community officials can better understand their risks and make safe, informed choices on where to live and how to build."
"We finally have the best data to help residents of Louisiana live safer, stronger and smarter than ever before," said Louisiana Recovery Authority Executive Director Paul Rainwater. "Thanks to our federal partners, citizens of Vermilion Parish now have up-to-date information to assess their flood risk and make better informed decisions about those risks."
Preliminary versions of the flood maps were delivered by FEMA last week to floodplain managers and code officials in communities throughout the parish as the first step in a process that is ultimately designed to lead to formal adoption and implementation on a local level.
Communities in Vermilion receiving the maps are Abbeville, Delcambre, Erath, Gueydan, Kaplan and Maurice. A map covering unincorporated areas of Vermilion Parish was provided to the parish.
The maps will become effective following a series of steps that include a public-comment period, resolution of any appeals or protests, a Letter of Final Determination from FEMA and adoption by the community. For unincorporated areas, adoption would be on a parish level.
While adoption is voluntary, it is a requirement for the community to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Individuals and governmental entities cannot purchase flood insurance unless their property is within a community that participates in the NFIP.
FEMA has already released updated DFIRMS for Lafayette, Livingston and Tangipahoa parishes and, in the upcoming months, will release maps for up to 12 other coastal Louisiana parishes.
The new flood maps are part of a nationwide effort to map or update existing flood maps to better reflect current flood hazards. In prior years, the maps have only been available in paper form. The digital versions now make it easier for citizens to access flood risk information and provide for greater map detail.
To learn about flood maps or elevations to use during rebuilding, residents should contact their local floodplain administrator. Extensive information about Louisiana's coastal flood maps also is available online through the Louisiana Mapping Project at www.lamappingproject.com.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 18-Mar-2008 12:01:30