Jefferson Parish residents to see flood insurance discounts via national program

JEFFERSON PARISH, La. (WGNO) — It was announced Wednesday, Sept. 17, that there will be an increase in unincorporated Jefferson Parish’s National Flood Insurance Program(NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS).

The parish previously sat at a Class 5 but has increased to a Class 3 joining, 11 other Class 3s in the country.

“I am so proud of our Floodplain Management & Hazard Mitigation team, along with the many other Jefferson Parish departments, partners and municipalities, that worked together to make this happen. Not only will our residents and business owners see financial relief because of this Class 3 rating, but our community as a whole will continue to benefit from a comprehensive floodplain management and mitigation plan that helps make us more resilient in the face of disasters,” said Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng.

This increase will provide residents a 35% discount on their flood insurance that will automatically be applied to their premiums upon renewal for NFIP flood insurance policyholders. 

The NFIP provides flood insurance to property owners, renters and businesses. The CRS program rewards communities for implementing floodplain management activities. The rewards are flood insurance discounts.

As a result, Jefferson Parish sees over $12 million in savings annually.

The activities in which floodplain management falls under are Public Information, Mapping and Regulatory, Flood Damage Reduction, and Warning and Response. Under them, the following actions are performed:

• Improving our Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule
• Adopting freeboard for all structures
• Maintaining our open space
• Having a Watershed Management Plan
• Continuing to improve our Hazard Mitigation Plan
• Protecting our natural floodplain functions
• Earning credit for our Flood Warning and Response practices
• Informing citizens of their risk of living inside levee-protected areas 

“Flood insurance is a wise investment for all residents and property owners in Jefferson Parish. Geographically, the low-lying communities in Jefferson Parish are at or below sea level, which increases the vulnerability of structures to flooding from hurricanes and/or heavy rainfall events,” said JP officials.

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