louisiana community overcomes flood problems and achieves mitigation success with first elevation...
TRANSCRIPT
LOUISIANA COMMUNITY OVERCOMES FLOOD PROBLEMS
AND ACHIEVES MITIGATION SUCCESS WITH
FIRST ELEVATION PROJECTASFPM Louisville, KY
May 2011Jeff Heaton, Senior Project Manager, ProvidenceHolly Fonseca, Grants Officer, St. Charles Parish
WHAT HAPPENED?• 2005, Katrina/Rita, 571 homes flooded, 29 SRL, 147 RL in Parish,
$13.3M in damages paid by NFIP• January 14, 2008 - New Parish President Elected • January 14, 2008 - New Grants Officer Appointed• January 14, 2008 - New Planning & Zoning Director Appointed• January 14, 2008 - 9 of 9 Parish Council Members Replaced• 2008, Gustav/Ike, 74 homes flooded, 3 SRL, 10 RL, $664K in
damages paid by NFIP• 2009, December Heavy Rains, 91 homes flooded, 9 SRL, 35 RL, $2M
in damages paid by NFIP• Currently 51 SRLs and 624 RLs in Parish
WHAT DO WE DO?
“This is a flooding problem, but it is also a bureaucracy problem”
“We have grants available for eligible communities to mitigate flooding”
SO, WHO IS ELIGIBLE?• Parish participating in NFIP• SRLs as determined by NFIP• Substantial Damage Determinations
from last flood• Respondents to Parish Invitation –
Signed Voluntary Participation Agreements
• Approved by GOHSEP & FEMA
HOW MUCH IS AVAILABLE?• 75/25 HMGP and 90/10 SRL grants available for approved
applicants
• ICC up to $30,000 available from NFIP for insured residents
• First HMGP application approved for $3.03M with global match from State; 16 homes to be elevated
• Second HMGP and First SRL applications submitted
WHAT DID THE COUNCIL SAY?
“Will local contractors be
used?”
“Will this stress out our inspection department?”
“Is this for all income levels?”
“Do we have to pay upfront and seek reimbursement?”
“What will homeowners who
do not qualify say?”
“How long will it take?”
WHAT DID HOMEOWNERS SAY?
“Can I elevate my driveway?”
“What if I am handicapped?”
“What are Duplication of
Benefits?”“What if I had no flood insurance?”
“Can I choose my own contractor?”
“Will the contractor be responsible for
repairing my sprinkler system or
any landscaping that is damaged?”
“Do I have to take the low bidder?”
“Where do I live during
construction?”
WHAT IS PROCESS & TIMELINE FOR RECEIVING GRANT?
ACTUAL TIMELINE:• August 28, 2005 – Disaster Declared (Katrina)• July 30, 2008 - Application Submitted to GOHSEP• April 2, 2009 - Application Submitted to FEMA• September 1, 2009 - FEMA Approval• September 22, 2009 -GOHSEP Approval• May 24 and June 10, 2010 - Parish Public Meetings• March 16, 2011- 1st Homeowner Project Approved NTP
[5.5 years after Disaster]• May, 2011 -1st Homeowner Project Completed• TBD -Last Homeowner Project Complete
BEFORE / AFTER PHOTOS
BEFORE / AFTER PHOTOS
BEFORE / AFTER PHOTOS
BEFORE / AFTER PHOTOS
BEFORE / AFTER COMMENTS• “It won’t work out for me”• “Government programs
are a waste of money”• “I hope we never have
another flood”• “Best thing that ever could
have happened to me”• “This program helps
taxpayers, local governments and citizens”
• “I’m ready for the next flood”