[StBernard] FEMA to hold open house on Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps in Chalmette Monday, Aug. 10 2 to 8 p.m.

[Westley Annis]

PRELIMINARY DIGITAL FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAPS TO DEBUT AT OPEN HOUSE IN ST.
BERNARD PARISH


 

ST. BERNARD, La. - The public is invited to view newly revised Preliminary
Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs) for St. Bernard Parish at an open
house on Monday, Aug. 10, 2009.  The open house will be from 2 p.m. to 8
p.m. at the St. Bernard Government Complex Council Chambers, 8201 W. Judge
Perez Dr., Chalmette, LA 70043. 

 

Specialists will be on hand at the open house to answer citizens' questions
and to provide additional information. Citizens are encouraged to view the
maps, which will be available in both digital and paper formats.

 

The preliminary flood maps were developed as part of the nationwide map
modernization effort spearheaded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA), which administers the National Flood Insurance Program. 

The new maps are in a digital format, providing greater detail and making it
easier for citizens to view the information. 

 

The flood maps will help residents and business owners understand their
current flood risk and make more informed decisions about protecting their
property. In addition, community planners, local officials, engineers,
builders and others will have the tools to make important determinations
about how to maximize safety for new structures and developments. 

 

While adoption is voluntary, it is a requirement for participation in the
National Flood Insurance Program. Final maps will not become effective until
adopted by the parish and/or city council. St. Bernard Parish is not
required to adopt the preliminary DFIRMS at this time. Once the federal
levees are completed, new maps will be issued for the parish's review and
adoption.

 

Residents should consult their local floodplain administrator with questions
on what flood map or elevations to use during the rebuilding process.
Extensive information about the Louisiana Mapping Project (LaMP) and the map
adoption process is available online at www.lamappingproject.com
<http://www.lamappingproject.com/> . Assistance is also available through
the LaMP Call Center, 1-866-751-3989 open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.
to 4 p.m. The LaMP Call Center is available for general information on map
status, schedules for public meetings, contact information for local
officials relative to specific properties, and assistance from FEMA hazard
mitigation staff, including National Flood Insurance Plan specialists,
engineers, and floodplain management specialists. 

 

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing,
mitigating the effects of, responding to and recovering from all domestic
disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror. 

 

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Editors: For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, visit
www.fema.gov <http://www.fema.gov/> /latro.