Hurricane Katrina Surge Inundation and Advisory Base Flood Elevation Maps

Orleans Parish, Louisiana

FEMA has developed Hurricane Katrina Surge Inundation and Advisory Base Flood Elevation Maps (referred to as, “Katrina Recovery Maps”) to aid Orleans Parish property owners to repair or rebuild structures to newly determined advisory coastal flood elevations. These maps are based on Flood Recovery Guidance for Orleans Parish (PDF 211KB) that FEMA published in April 2006.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find the Katrina Recovery Map that shows my property?

Map that links to PDF version of Index Map of Orleans ParishTo locate a particular property, the first step is to determine which detailed Katrina Recovery Map panel applies to the area of interest.  Users should first consult the Orleans Parish Index Map (PDF 2.7MB), which shows which panels were produced and what area is covered by each. Panel numbers are shown in green text (e.g., MM40). Panels were only produced for areas where structures or other significant development could be observed on recent aerial photography. 

Once the detailed Katrina Recovery Map panel number is known, it can be opened by clicking on the corresponding panel number on the parish map immediately below. The panel will open up in the internet browser window using the Adobe Acrobat Reader software. The Katrina Recovery Map panels range in size from 1.1 MB to 2.5 MB.

Map Panel EE38 Map Panel FF40 Map Panel FF39 Map Panel FF38 Map Panel GG41 Map Panel GG40 Map Panel GG39 Map Panel GG38 Map Panel HH38 Map Panel II38 Map Panel HH39 Map Panel HH40 Map Panel HH41 Map Panel II41 Map Panel II42 Map Panel JJ42

Map Panel Z36 Map Panel AA37 Map Panel AA36 Map Panel AA35 Map Panel AA34 Map Panel AA33 Map Panel BB36 Map Panel BB35 Map Panel BB35 Map Panel BB33 Map Panel BB32 Map Panel BB31 Map Panel BB30 Map Panel BB29 Map Panel CC33 Map Panel CC32 Map Panel CC31 Map Panel CC30 Map Panel CC29 Map Panel DD29 Map Panel DD30 Map Panel DD31 Map Panel DD32 Map Panel DD33 Map Panel DD34 Map Panel DD35 Map Panel DD36 Map Panel DD37 Map Panel EE37 Map Panel EE36 Map Panel EE35 Map Panel EE34 Map Panel EE33 Map Panel EE32 Map Panel EE31 Map Panel EE30 Map Panel FF37 Map Panel FF36 Map Panel FF35 Map Panel FF34 Map Panel FF33 Map Panel FF32 Map Panel FF31 Map Panel GG35 Map Panel GG36 Map Panel GG37 Map Panel HH37 Map Panel HH36 Map Panel II37

Katrina Recovery Maps are for advisory purposes only; they do not supersede effective Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). The Hurricane Katrina-related data presented are preliminary and subject to update as additional data become available.

How do I determine what Advisory Base Flood Elevation (ABFE) applies to my property?

The Katrina Recovery Maps depict ABFEs (that is, elevations that FEMA recommends be used for rebuilding) for defined areas or zones. The visual appearance of these advisory zones and elevations was intentionally made similar to the format of flood hazard data shown FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). [Note: Individuals unfamiliar with FIRMs can view the online tutorial, “How to Read a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM).”]

On the Katrina Recovery Maps, each ABFE zone is outlined in yellow and is labeled with the applicable advisory flood zone type and whole-foot elevation (e.g., ABFE VE17). ABFEs are measured relative to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD29), or roughly sea level. The whole-foot ABFE listed on each contour can be directly applied to properties located within the zone. On some maps, a thick yellow line marks the inland limit of the ABFEs; landward of this line, ABFEs do not apply.

I know my ABFE. How high above ground does this mean I have to elevate my structure?

Since the ABFEs are measured relative to NGVD29 (or roughly sea level), property owners will need ground elevations to determine how high above grade a structure should be elevated to meet the ABFE. Property owners are advised to consult with a licensed surveyor or professional engineer to determine ground elevations at their site. Once ground elevation is known, it can be subtracted from the ABFE to calculate the height above grade that a structure’s first floor (in A Zones) or lowest horizontal structural member (in V Zones) should be elevated.

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Last Modified: Wednesday, 14-Jun-2006 09:32:39 EDT