[StBernard] St. Bernard Flood Fact froms FEMA

Westley Annis westley at da-parish.com
Fri Aug 10 21:04:01 EDT 2007


Approximately two-thirds of St. Bernard Parish is surrounded by water and consists primarily of marshlands formed by the Mississippi River Delta— factors that contribute to a heightened flood risk for residents in this area.

When Hurricane Katrina hit in August 2005, two levee breaks flooded a majority of the parish to depths up to 14 feet. Less than a month later, Hurricane Rita hit the area with 6 to 12 inches of rain, which, combined with an eight-foot storm surge that breached recently-repaired levees, caused extensive flood damage to the parish. Flood insured damages from these storms totaled nearly $2.2 billion in St. Bernard Parish alone.

ST. BERNARD PARISH FLOOD FACTS

(Source: National Flood Insurance Program)

Flooding costs St. Bernard Parish. Since 1978, insured flood losses in St. Bernard Parish totaled more than $2.2 billion.

Fewer St. Bernard Parish residents are flood insured. Policies have decreased nearly 9 percent in the past year, to 12,278 as of June 2007.

Over 50 percent of St. Bernard Parish households remain at financial risk. There are more than 25,100 households in St. Bernard Parish and 12,278 flood insurance policies in effect.

Insured St. Bernard Parish residents need to maintain coverage. In St. Bernard Parish, approximately 2,650 flood insurance policies are expected to lapse from August - November 30, 2007. Residents need to keep their insurance policy current, to ensure they are covered during peak hurricane season.

BE FLOODSMART

Tips for Parish residents to lower their flood risk:

 Learn your flood risk. Find out your flood risk by entering your address at FloodSmart.gov “Assess Your Risk.” Insurance agents can provide more detailed information and insurance options.

 Purchase a flood insurance policy. Most homeowners insurance does not cover floods and there is typically a 30-day waiting period before a policy becomes effective. If you already have a flood policy, remember: it needs to be renewed each year.

 Move important objects and papers to a safe place. Store your valuables where they can’t get damaged.

 Conduct a thorough home inventory. Thorough documentation of your belongings will help you file your flood insurance claim. For more information, visit www.knowyourstuff.org.

 Reduce your flood risk through home improvements. Visit FloodSmart.gov to learn about ways to lower the risk of sewer backup, basement flooding and other flood-related issues.

 Plan for evacuation. Plan and practice a flood evacuation route, ask someone out of state to be your “family contact” in an emergency, and ensure everyone knows the contact’s address and phone number.

 Build an emergency supply kit. Food, bottled water, first aid supplies, medicines and a battery-operated radio should be ready to go when you are. Visit www.ready.gov for a disaster supply checklist.









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