FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 2016
Contact: Hayne Rainey
For Media Inquiries Only communications@nola.gov (504) 658-4945
MAYOR LANDRIEU, U.S. REPRESENTATIVE RICHMOND HIGHLIGHT BENEFITS OF THE RECENTLY FINALIZED FEMA FLOOD MAPS FOR NEW ORLEANS
Homeowners will save hundreds of thousands of dollars
NEW ORLEANS – Today, Mayor Landrieu joined U.S. Representative Cedric Richmond and members of the New Orleans City Council to highlight the benefits of the recently released Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) final flood maps for New Orleans. Due to significant improvements in drainage and flood protection, more than 53 percent of all properties in New Orleans were removed from Special Flood Hazard Areas (“A” zones”) and as a result, will benefit from more affordable flood insurance. Under the new flood maps, many homeowners will be eligible for a significantly lower flood insurance rate.
“The release of the finalized flood maps for New Orleans will make a huge difference for our residents and property owners, potentially saving hundreds of thousands of dollars,”Mayor Mitch Landrieu said. “This accomplishment was achieved after the City challenged FEMA to guarantee the accuracy of the maps so that they represented the actual risk. This success would not be possible without strong partnerships with FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, our congressional delegation and the local community.”
After receiving the Letter of Final Determination from FEMA, the City introduced an ordinance to adopt the flood maps at the April 7, 2016 New Orleans City Council meeting. The Council is expected to vote on the maps next month. The final flood map indicates that many areas have been changed from a Special Flood Hazard Area, “A zones,” to a non-hazard areas, “X zones,” due to the reconstruction of the hurricane risk reduction system and significant drainage improvements following Hurricane Katrina.
U.S. Representative Cedric Richmond said, “These new maps are the result of the work done at each level of government to make sure flood insurance plans are affordable. For many of the homeowners and business owners throughout the city today is a win, but the work is still not done. I remain committed to continuing to improve the National Flood Insurance Program so that no one is priced out of their homes or businesses because of exorbitant premiums.”
City Council President Jason Rogers Williams said, “The new FEMA Flood Maps are long overdue, and a necessary step and tool for our homeowners. The city worked hard to get the best results for our citizens, and many will have lower flood insurance costs. It is always important for government to look for ways to reduce the bottom line for hard working New Orleanians.”
District C Councilmember Nadine M. Ramsey said, “There is finally good news regarding insurance rates in New Orleans. I worked very hard to stay on top of this issue because I wanted to ensure that District C received a fair flood risk assessment from FEMA. This involved an appeal filed by the Department of Safety and Permits, asking FEMA to consider the infrastructure improvements that helped to reduce the risk of flooding along with other discrepancies. I am very happy to see these positive results.”
District D Councilmember Jared Brossett said, “The new FEMA maps appear to incorporate accurate data and reflect substantial post-Katrina improvements to our levees, canals, and pumping stations. When finalized, these maps will likely lower the flood insurance premiums for thousands of homeowners and businesses". "This is a potential victory for the New Orleans region that I've been fighting for since my time as state legislator and as your councilman. The original maps could have resulted in mandatory flood insurance coverage for most residents and higher premiums that had the potential to push homeowners and businesses out of New Orleans. Now, a majority of the City will see significantly lower premiums.”
The new FEMA Flood Maps will affect approximately 85,000 policies in New Orleans. As of September 2015, the average flood insurance policy was $961. The cost of flood insurance in non-hazard areas (“X-Zones”) is cheaper than in areas with a higher statistical risk of flooding. Any changes to homeowners’ and business owners’ insurance premiums would be made through their insurance companies. The City strongly encourages all residents to have flood insurance, even if it is not required by their lender.
The City’s Department of Safety and Permits has worked with FEMA to enhance development regulations that will ensure maximum protection for people and property and will ultimately reduce premiums by an additional 5 percent citywide. After the adoption of the flood maps by the City Council, homeowners will be required to build homes either three feet above the curb height or one foot above the flood elevation as determined by the maps, whichever is higher. The new elevation requirements will only affect new construction and substantial improvements permitted after the proposed effective date ofJune 1, 2016.
In November 2015, FEMA ruled in favor of the City’s appeal of the 2014 revised flood maps, which incorrectly placed Algiers Point area within a flood hazard area and had not taken into account significant improvements completed by the City and Sewerage and Water Board since the revised maps were developed. The City appealed the 2012 preliminary flood maps in 2013 indicating that the Base Flood Elevations that FEMA’s data established did not match actual ground elevation in the City and did not account for the presence of elevated railroad tracks in Venetian Isles. These revisions to the flood maps helped make flood insurance more affordable for area residents.
Click here for FEMA’s final Flood Insurance Rate Maps for New Orleans.
