Flood Insurance a Requirement for Louisiana FEMA Grant

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is providing a grant to help pay for the elevation of 16 houses Jefferson Parish.

The grant covers about $2.1 million of the estimated $2.7 million total cost of the project.

FEMA officials say elevating the homes will reduce the potential for damage during future floods.

Once the structures are elevated, individual homeowners will be required to maintain flood insurance on their newly elevated homes for the life of the properties.

Money was initially awarded in April 2011 and involved 45 properties for a federal share of more than $5.7 million.

The funding was made available after Hurricane Gustav made landfall in Louisiana in September 2008.