[StBernard] We're Waiting too. Please don't forget about us!

[Westley Annis]

Like Khaki, we are also waiting for the adoption of the flood elevations.
Everyone who is trying to raise their house to be in compliance are waiting.
And up to now we have been very patient and quiet on this subject since we
are aware that not everyone will be raising their home. However, we cannot
start rebuilding which we desperately want to do, because we can't apply for
permits just yet. If we apply for permits now before the parish adopts the
guidelines then we would be grandfathered in and not eligible for any ICC
money or that additional $30,000 that we may get from the LRA to help with
the costs. Thats money that our financial situation can't turn down. So we
wait, and wait, and wait. There needs to be a firm deadline, so that people
like khaki and me can get on with our lives too. And to top it all off, now
i read in the paper, that if we don't have permits in hand by the end of the
year, our homeowners insurance will be dropped because we haven't started
the rebuilding process yet. So either we get permits now and keep our
insurance but lose out on any possible future money, or wait on the permits
and lose our insurance. I don't relish either side of the fence. Why do i
have to make this choice? I am sure that we aren't the only ones who are
stuck in this situation. When are the new elevations being adopted? If at
all? If they will never be adopted or if it is past the end of the year, I
will then be forced to move out of the parish. That is something I would
rather not have to do, but the parish is forcing my hand here. I don't even
see the point of not adopting the elevations. After 3 years, if the parish
doesn't adopt, our entire parish will be dropped from the flood insurance
program. That would be the death of the parish since very few will live here
without flood insurance. I certainly wouldn't. Not only that but everyone
who hasn't complied with the new elevations, according to my insurance
salesman, their homeowners insurance premium will triple next year. The
choice we made to raise our home was not an easy decision to make. It was
based on the insurance premium savings, the extra ICC money available to us,
and resale value. If we had decided to rebuild as is, then we'd already be
in our house. But we didn't and we aren't, we're still uncomfortably living
in trailers with no end in sight. I feel forgotten and pushed aside in favor
of those who wanted to rebuild as is. Great, good for them. They've had more
than a year to do what they wanted to do. Now its our turn. We live here too
and we don't want to leave either. Please adopt the guidelines! People like
khaki and I are waiting. 

Melissa