April 24, 2014 One Month before Caddo Parish, Louisiana Flood Maps Become Final

Release date: 

APRIL 24, 2014

Release Number: 

R6-14-022

DENTON, Texas ––In one month, new flood maps for Caddo Parish, Louisiana will become effective.

Local, state and federal officials are encouraging everyone to view the maps before Monday, May 19, 2014 in order to understand their flood risk and then consider buying flood insurance.

Most property insurance policies do not cover the effects of a flood. Floods can place people at risk of uninsured loss to their businesses, homes and personal property if they don’t have either a private flood insurance policy or coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

The NFIP is a voluntary protection program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Flooding is the #1 natural disaster in the U.S. and only flood insurance covers these unexpected, damaging and sometimes fatal events. “Where there is rain, there could be flooding,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “Everyone lives in a flood zone.”

To learn if your community participates in the NFIP and to review the new flood maps, contact your local floodplain administrator. FEMA map specialists and flood insurance experts are also available to answer questions. They can be reached by phone and online chat.  Maps are available online for review.

•           To view the online interactive flood maps, visit http://bit.ly/1iHozvv

•           Find the interactive map index at: http://bit.ly/1k4r5Mj

•           To use the live chat service, visit http://go.usa.gov/r6C.  Click on the “Live Chat” icon.

•           To contact a FEMA Map Specialist, call 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) or send an email to FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.

•           Once effective, maps can be viewed at https://msc.fema.gov

FEMA encourages communities not currently participating in the NFIP to look at the benefits of joining the program. Contacting a local insurance agent is the first step to obtaining information about insurance. Folks can visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531 to locate an agent in their area.

www.fema.gov