[StBernard] Jefferson Parish Adopts Flood Elevation Guidelines; Approval Clears Way for Hazard Mitigation Money

[Westley Annis]

Jefferson Parish Adopts Flood Elevation Guidelines; Approval Clears Way for Hazard Mitigation Money


BATON ROUGE, La. - The Jefferson Parish Council recently agreed to adopt the Advisory Base Flood Elevations (ABFE) as recommended by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and required by the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA), clearing the way for $6.8 million to help raise area homes to a safer elevation. Now that the parish has adopted the new guidelines, it is also eligible to receive a ten percent cost share match from the State to repair critical pieces of local infrastructure including roads, bridges and public buildings. 

"The Jefferson Parish Council has done a very smart thing for their citizens," said Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco. "This sends a clear signal to the rest of Louisiana that Jefferson Parish is committed to rebuilding safer, stronger and smarter than before."

The parish's recent adoption also makes funding available for various hazard mitigation grant programs aimed at reducing losses in future disasters. This is only the first of several hazard mitigation projects in Jefferson Parish to be recommended to FEMA for funding. Additional recommendations are forthcoming now that the parish has adopted the ABFE. 

"This signifies an important success for the people of Jefferson Parish," said Tim Coulon, LRA Board Member. "I also want to thank the Jefferson Parish Council and Parish President Aaron Broussard and his staff for their vision and support for these new standards."

Parishes that fail to adopt the ABFE as recommended by FEMA will not be eligible for the cost sharing program or additional funds for hazard mitigation. 

"We applaud the Jefferson Parish Council for its foresightedness and commitment to rebuilding safely," said Shane Rauh, State Hazard Mitigation Officer for the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP). "In return, Jefferson is now eligible to receive significant funds and resources that would not have been available otherwise."

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated South Louisiana, destroying more than 200,000 homes and 18,000 businesses. The Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) is the planning and coordinating body that was created in the aftermath of these storms by Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco to lead one of the most extensive rebuilding efforts in the world. The LRA is a 33-member body which is coordinating across jurisdictions, supporting community recovery and resurgence, ensuring integrity and effectiveness, and planning for the recovery and rebuilding of Louisiana.

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