Louisiana Parish Residents Urged to Buy Flood Insurance

Cameron Parish, La., residents without flood insurance should buy coverage before the new Federal Emergency Management Agency flood maps become effective Nov. 16 so they can get the best premiums, a FEMA official says.

Agency spokesman Robert Alvey tells The American Press that getting flood insurance early could save residents money if their flood zone changes next month. The maps detail flood risk throughout the parish.

Parish Administrator Tina Horn says the new maps will have about 30 percent of the parish in a velocity zone, or V-zone. She said the high-risk flood zone has more restrictions for new development and requires more expensive flood insurance premiums. V-zone areas cannot get federal assistance to rebuild public facilities, Horn said.