Flooding affects everyone in Louisiana, if for no other reason than the reality that management of flood risk and response to flood events consumes public resources (tax dollars); however, you are affected most directly by Louisiana flooding in two personal situations:
- When your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). Most people refer to the SFHA as THE flood zone. This area is designated as an A or V zone on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). See Finding the Official Flood Maps, below.
For properties in the SFHA, certain regulations (building, remodeling and restoration) apply. These regulations may not apply to development in areas outside the SFHA.
- When your property has been inundated by floodwater. The keeper of the official flood maps (FIRMs) may have records of flood history in the community. Other sources may be the departments that deal with drainage, roads, public works or emergency response.
About one-fourth of the flood insurance claims paid by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) are for properties NOT in the SFHA. The official map determination is not necessarily a good indication of flood risk.
- Learn more about understanding flood risk.
Finding the Official Flood Maps
Your local permit, building or flood office is the official source of flood risk information. The local floodplain administrator has regulatory authority in flood hazard areas and, in some communities, outside flood hazard areas. Insurance and real estate agents often have access to copies of the flood maps for the communities in which they do business, and maps are sometimes available in public libraries. Only the local government office is required to keep records of map revisions and amendments that have occurred since the maps were printed. The community permit office will know who the floodplain administrator is in your community.
A number of Flood Map Determination companies in the country will determine whether a property is in the SFHA or not. These fee-based services are often used by mortgage companies.
Regulations in Special Flood Hazard Areas
- New homes must be built so the lowest floor is above the flood hazard (above BFE) or higher in some communities.
- New non-residential buildings must meet this standard or be floodproofed.
- New and existing buildings, if securing a federally guaranteed mortgage or a mortgage from a federally insured institution, must carry flood insurance.
- Extensive renovation, improvement or repair of existing buildings is restricted.
- Development permits must be obtained for all construction, improvement and other development (drainage improvement, laying infrastructure, stockpiling).