FLOOD PROTECTION INFORMATION

News Letter

Flood Insurance

Building Permit

Flood Warning System

Property Protection/Substantial Improvement

Flood Safety

Drainage System Maintenance

Local Flood Hazards

Code of Ordinances

Flood, code of ordinances

Maps

Flood plains & street maps

Link

www.fema.gov

Flood Insurance

St. James Parish participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which presently entitles all insures a 10% discount on premiums. Flood damage is not covered buy homeowners’ policies. However, you can buy NFIP flood insurance from private insurance companies and agents. Renters can also buy flood insurance policies to protect their personal property. Floods are caused by storms, hurricanes, or water backup due to overloaded drainage systems or levee failures; therefore, you do not need to live near water to be flooded. All Parish residents are eligible to purchase flood insurance, and the Parish encourages all residents to consider their flood insurance needs. There is a 30-day waiting period before flood insurance becomes effective.

Building Permit

Before beginning any type of construction, you must obtain a building permit and other information relative to construction requirements. Residents building in flood zone areas also need to complete an elevation certificate before beginning construction. All structures within the Parish must be built to at least +6.0 MSL, which is 1 foot above the Parish base flood elevation feet of 5.0 feet. New and existing homes and businesses being built within a special flood hazard area must carry flood insurance if they have a mortgage or have had a flood insurance claim since 1994. Additionally, all new construction requires a building permit from the Parish. For more information on permitting or flood risks, contact the office of the Parish President or the Building Permit Office at (225)562-2264, or (225)562-2370.

Flood Warning System

The following terms are used in a flood warning system:
• Flood Watch means flooding is possible.
• Flash Flood Watch means a flash flood which can happen rather quickly is possible
• Flood Warning means a flood is occurring or will occur soon within a certain area.
• Flash Flood Warning means a flash flood is occurring or will happen very soon.
These warnings are announced, as issued by the National Weather Service, on local cable television and radio stations through the cable over-ride system, the telephone ring-down system, and/or the Parish outdoor warning system.

Property Protection/Substantial Improvement

There are many proven ways to protect a building from flood damage. These include elevating, retrofitting, small floodwalls, and emergency measures such as sandbagging and raising furniture and appliances. Buildings located in a SFHA should consider permanent flood proofing measures, which include raising the structure, building flood walls, dry flood proofing, earthen levees, or water proofing walls and doorways.
           Any repair, reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvement of a structure, of which the cost will exceed or equal fifty percent of the market value counted cumulatively for at least ten years, must be built to flood elevation requirements of +6.0  MSL. Substantially damaged buildings must also be brought up to the same standards, which may include elevating. For more information, contact the Parish Building Permit Office at (225)562-2370

Flood Safety

• Do not walk through flowing water- drowning is the number one cause of flood related deaths.
• Look before you step- after a flood, the ground and floors are covered with debris including broken glass and nails.
• Do not drive through a flooded area- more people drown in their cars than anywhere else during flash floods.
• Stay away from power lines and electrical wires. The number two flood killer is electrocution. Report downed power lines to Entergy or the Parish E.O.C. at (225)562-2364
• Protect children from rising floodwaters by keeping them away from ditched, culverts, and storm drains.
• Be alert for gas leaks. Use a flashlight to inspect for damage. If you suspect gas leak, notify the Parish   E.O.C. at (225)562-2364 or the Parish Utility Office at (225)562-2414
• Stay tuned to TV or radio for information and official instructions during emergency events.
 

Drainage System Maintenance

Parish drainage ordinances prohibit the illegal dumping of debris and trash in canals and ditches. Any person dumping or discharging any trees, objects, substances, or materials which might interfere with drainage is in violation of the ordinance. Never discard trash or yard waste into parish drainage canals; and whenever you see debris or someone dumping into a drainage canal, please call the Parish Department of Operations at (225)562-2262 or the Sheriff’s office at (225)562-2200

Local Flood Hazards

The average flood damage claim exceeds $21,000. Over 40% of Louisiana’s land mass lies in special flood hazard areas. These areas are mapped by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The maps are available in the office of the parish President or on the FEMA website: www.msc.fema.gov. Building elevation certificates are required in all flood hazard areas.
• New homes must be built so the lowest floor is 1 foot above the flood hazard elevation. This includes equipment servicing buildings.
• New nom-residential buildings must meet this standard or be flood-proofed.
• If mortgaged, new and existing homes and business must carry flood insurance.
• Extensive renovation, improvement, or repair of existing buildings is subject to elevation requirements.
• Development permits in flood hazard areas must be obtained for all new construction, improvements, and other development including drainage improvements and infrastructure development.
The principal source of flooding is undersized culverts in drainage ditches and backwater or tidal influence from Lac Des Allemands or Lake Maurepas. Before purchasing property or making substantial improvements to existing structures, citizens should contact the St. James Department of Operations at (225)562-2262 or (225)562-2370 to receive information in flood zones approximate land elevations, historical flood occurrences, and any special building requirements.
 

Maps