After the devastating 2016 Louisiana floods, flood insurance has become a large concern in many cities. On Sept. 30, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released its new flood insurance map for New Orleans. The new map identifies areas in Orleans, Jefferson, and St. Bernard Parishes that are most and least vulnerable to flooding.
According to Nola.com, 53 percent of properties have been moved from special flood hazard A zones to newly classified non-hazard X zones. The properties were moved due to upgrades in the internal drainage system and hurricane levee system, both assessed by the Army Corps of Engineers since Hurricane Katrina’s floods in 2005.
The new maps also will reduce flood insurance premiums in certain areas.
The office of Safety and Permits encourages people in all zones to buy federally backed flood insurance.