Flood Protection

National Flood Insurance Program

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was set up as a means to provide flood protection to homeowners, renters, and business owners. Participation in the program is based on an agreement between a local community and the Federal Government, which states if a community adopts and enforces a floodplain management ordinance and undertakes activities to reduce flood risks, the Federal Government will make flood insurance available. In order to provide coverage to our citizens, St. James Parish is a participant in the NFIP. Additionally, the Parish has implemented several services and activities to achieve a better class rating for our flood insurance certification. 

Presently, our re-certification as a Class 7 in the Community Rating System (CRS) Program provides a 15% reduction of premiums for all flood insurance premiums within flood zones (Zones A and AE) on structures that were constructed before flood insurance rate maps were adopted and any after the flood insurance rate maps were adopted, but constructed at or above the base flood elevation. Insurance premiums outside of flood zones (Zone X) receive a 5% premium reduction with our CRS rating.

Public Comment on Transforming the Community Rating System

 FEMA is seeking public comments on transforming the Community Rating System (CRS) under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to better align with the current understanding of flood risk and flood risk approaches and to incentivize communities to manage and lower their flood risk through floodplain management initiatives.

We’re encouraging you to use the information below to provide comments you might wish to share with FEMA regarding the CRS. We also invite you to share this information with others.

 Public Stakeholders Can Submit Written Comments via the Federal Register
FEMA posted in the Federal Register a Request for Information to gather public feedback about on ways the agency could consider modifying, streamlining, and/or innovating to improve the CRS program. These efforts aim to help FEMA ensure that the CRS program includes necessary, properly tailored, and up-to-date requirements that effectively achieve the goals of (1) reducing and avoiding flood damage to insurable property, (2) strengthening and supporting the insurance aspects of the NFIP, and (3) encouraging a comprehensive approach to floodplain management.

Submit your written comments, identified by Docket ID: FEMA-2021-0021, through the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov/. The comment period will be open through September 22, 2021.

Please follow the instructions on the page and contact the Regulations.gov Help Desk if you have technical issues. For additional information on the request for information, visit FEMA.gov. 

Flood Insurance Coverage

Floods are caused by severe storms, tropical systems, water backup, levee failures, clogged drainage systems, or rapid accumulation of rainfall. One goal of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is to keep people safe and make structures less vulnerable to future flood damages. Most homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover flood damages. Over the life of a typical 30-year mortgage, homes in high risk areas have a 26% or greater chance of being flooded. That is 2.5 times greater than loss from a fire. Flood insurance is available to you no matter where you live, even if you live in a high flood risk area or an area that traditionally does not flood. Nearly 25% of all flood insurance claims are from structures outside high risk areas.

If you choose to purchase flood insurance, there is a 30-day waiting period for a flood insurance policy’s effective date; therefore, you cannot purchase flood insurance immediately before an approaching tropical storm. Flood insurance coverage is available to all owners and occupants of insurable property (buildings and/or contents) within St. James Parish. The Parish encourages all residents and businesses to consider purchasing flood insurance.To find an agent near you, call NFIP at 888-379-9531. To inquire about the flood history of a property, you can call the Parish Permitting Office at 225-562-2370.

Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act Surcharge

As of April 1, 2015, every new or renewed policy will include an annual surcharge required by the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 (HFIAA). Policies for your primary residence will include a $25 HFIAA surcharge and all other buildings will have a $250 HFIAA surcharge. To ensure the correct renewal surcharge, you will need to complete verification documentation within 30 days of receipt or you will be charged the higher surcharge at renewal. Please contact your insurance agent if your policy is coming up for renewal soon and you have not received the form.

Flooding Risks

Please keep in mind that you do not have to be in a designated flood zone area to be susceptible to flooding. It is important to note nearly 25% of all flooded properties are located outside designated flood hazard areas. Therefore, everyone should consider purchasing flood insurance and annually evaluate their structures susceptibility to flooding. As communities continue to build and open land becomes developed, more rainwater runoff is forced into our drainage ditches and streets, overloading our present systems and flooding areas that have not flooded before. Rising sea levels, land subsidence, and coastal erosion also contribute to elevated flood levels. This is why it is important to review your situation and pay special attention to changes in and around your property that may adversely affect you.

It is important that we remain focused on the increased threats to our homes and businesses from flooding. We must also be prepared to address the many natural hazards that we are exposed to each and every day, whether it being a severe afternoon thunderstorm or a major hurricane. Everyone should have an emergency preparedness plan and the purchase of flood insurance should be considered as part of your plan.