Residents worried about their flood insurance premiums got a first look at the new high-resolution maps that show flood impact areas in the parish Wednesday at the Military Road offices of the St. Tammany Parish Department of Permits and Regulations.

The maps were produced by the Federal Emergency Management Agency after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and cover not just St. Tammany Parish, but all the parishes affected by the storms. Several hundred visitors took a look at the maps Wednesday to see if the areas where their homes were located had changed from non-risk to flood risk zones.

Permits and Regulataions Director Kenneth Wortmann said there had been several changes.

St. Tammany Department of Permits and Regulations employees explain the new flood insurance rate maps to residents Wednesday afternoon at the parish offices in Slidell (Staff Photo by Erik Sanzenbach)

“Some areas have increased in flood risk, and some have gone down,” Wortmann said.

This is very important because residents whose flood risk has increased will face higher premiums from the National Flood Insurance Program, while those whose flood risk has decreased will see lower premiums.

Wortmann said preliminary findings show that areas on Military Road south of Interstate 12, the Coin de Lestin subdivision, the Rigolets and the town of Madisonville have been declared higher flood risks by FEMA.

Parish Councilman Gene Bellasario, who was at the public viewing, said the changes could mean a difference of $900 for some residents. Residents in less flood-prone areas would get preferred flood insurance and pay a yearly premium of $438, while residents who find themselves in a high-risk flood zone would have to pay the standard flood insurance premium of $1,313 a year.

Some residents like the Stolls had no change at all. They showed up Wednesday to discover the flood status of their Slidell home had not changed, and they will still pay the preferred insurance rate.

“Ours stayed the same, thank goodness,” Woodlyn Stoll said.

Bellasario said all residents should check out the new maps.

“Its worthwhile, because some people may be saving money,” he said.

Joe Laundry, who lives in the Magnolia Forest subdivision east of Slidell, came to the public viewing to talk to FEMA officials because he was concerned his house may now be in a high-risk flood zone.

“Even though I only got 3 inches of water during Katrina, I’m afraid I’m going to be pay more because of this,” Laundry said.

Several other elected officials came to the viewing to make sure their constituents were getting a fair shake from FEMA. Slidell Councilman Ray Canada said he had come because of rumors that the Breckinridge and Sterling Oaks subdivisions in his district would be in the new high-risk flood zone known as AE.

“It could mean an increase of four times their current policy,” Canada said.

Wortmann said if a resident disagrees with their designation of the new maps, FEMA does have an appeal process. Bellasario said the process involves getting the property re-surveyed.

“However, if the survey shows the land is below 13 feet, it means a higher insurance rate,” Bellasario said.

Both Bellasario and Slidell Councilman Lionel Hicks were impressed with the way the parish and FEMA were conducting the process.

“People can sit down and ask questions, it is very beneficial,” Bellasario said.

Hicks had come to check out his own property and was waiting to talk to a FEMA official.

“I think it is great. A good system, and they have been very helpful,” Hicks said. “It’s important that we get the word out on this.”

Unfortunately, the public viewing of the new maps was only on Wednesday. Wortmann said the new maps will be on display Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Permits and Regulations Office at 214900 Koop Drive in Mandeville. Wortmann said all residents can get a computer printout of the maps, and get their questions answered at his office. The maps can also be viewed online at the Web site, www.lamappingproject.com.