The City of New Orleans and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will host a flood insurance workshop on Thursday, Sept. 15, at 10 a.m. in the New Orleans City Council chambers at City Hall, 1300 Perdido St. to provide residents with information on the new updates to flood insurance rates and resources.
On Sept. 30, FEMA’s new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) will be finalized and in effect for New Orleans. These maps are available online, by clicking here.
Residents can view information about their property by navigating to their state, parish and local address. Due to significant improvements in drainage and flood protection, more than 53 percent of all properties in New Orleans were removed from Special Flood Hazard Areas (“A” zones”) and as a result, will benefit from more affordable flood insurance. Under the new FIRMS, many homeowners will be eligible for a significantly lower flood insurance rate.
Mayor Mitch Landrieu says the workshop is a great opportunity for residents to leanr about the new flood maps.
“FEMA’s new flood maps for New Orleans will make a huge difference for our residents, potentially saving hundreds of thousands of dollars on flood insurance,” Landrieu says. “But recent flooding in Louisiana should be a reminder to everyone that weather events can strike anyone, even those who have never flooded before. Property owners are encouraged to do everything they can to protect themselves from a catastrophic loss like a flood, including purchasing flood insurance.”
The workshop is free, but seating is limited, so attendees must register in advance. This workshop will also be broadcast live on NOA-TV for residents unable to attend.
For more information or to register for the workshop, click here.
