Louisiana Expects Insurance Rates to Drop

New federal flood elevations take effect in Mandeville, La., in May and city officials say many residents’ insurance rates will drop sharply.

The city and the Federal Emergency Management Agency recently met with local residents and business interests to explain the new base flood elevations.

Storm surge from Lake Pontchartrain often floods old Mandeville, which hugs the lake.

The city’s flood plain administrator, Chris Brown, told The Times-Picayune the new elevations generally show a reduced flood risk. Residents, he said, should expect to see lower insurance premiums as a result.