Louisiana Residents Reminded Floodplain Development Permit Requirements Still Required For Building Repairs 

Permits required by National Flood Insurance Program essential to protect communities

Release Date: November 8, 2005
Release Number: 1603-015a

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BATON ROUGE, La. -- The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD) remind Louisiana residents considering new construction and repairs on property located in flood hazard areas to consult local building officials to obtain floodplain development permits.

Contrary to rumors, the floodplain development permit requirement cannot be waived. Governing boards do, however, have the option to reduce or waive associated fees. Boards may not reduce or ignore the floodplain requirement.

Permits are required for work such as removal or replacement of the roof, walls, siding, wallboard, plaster, insulation, paneling, cabinets, flooring, electrical system, plumbing, heating or air conditioning. Repair projects must meet the community’s building code and flood damage prevention ordinance.

By obtaining an official floodplain development permit, residents can protect themselves, their families, communities and buildings by ensuring all proposed work meets current codes, standards, flood ordinances and construction techniques.

Residents are asked to only start construction and repair after they have received a valid permit from their local building department. Permit officials can also provide information on selecting licensed contractors, as well as how to protect themselves from fraudulent contractors.

For more information please contact your local building officials.

About the National Flood Insurance Program

In 1968, Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in response to the rising cost of taxpayer funded disaster relief for flood victims and the increasing amount of damage caused by floods.

FEMA manages the NFIP and oversees the floodplain management and mapping components of the program. Nearly 20,000 communities across the United States and its territories participate in the NFIP by adopting and enforcing floodplain management ordinances to reduce future flood damage. In exchange, the NFIP makes federally backed flood insurance available to homeowners, renters and business owners in these communities.

Flood damage is reduced by nearly $1 billion a year through partnerships with communities, the insurance industry and the lending industry. Further, buildings constructed in compliance with NFIP building standards suffer approximately 80 percent less damage annually than those not built in compliance. And, every $3 paid in flood insurance claims saves $1 in disaster assistance payments.

The NFIP is self-supporting for the average historical loss year, which means that operating expenses and flood insurance claims are not paid for by the taxpayer, but through premiums collected for flood insurance policies. The program has borrowing authority from the U.S. Treasury for times when losses are heavy; however, these loans are paid back with interest.

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003

Last Modified: Tuesday, 08-Nov-2005 14:15:59