Hurricane Katrina Surge Inundation and Advisory Base Flood Elevation Maps

Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana - Recovery Maps - Addendum #1, September 21, 2007

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find the Katrina Recovery Map that shows my property?

A new guidance document on flood recovery inside levees in Plaquemines Parish was issued on September 21, 2007.  The previously released June 5, 2006, Katrina Recovery Maps had many developed areas inside of levees annotated as "To Be Determined."  This was an interim FEMA measure needed for these affected areas while new storm surge data was developed by USACE to better understand flood protection offered by the extensive set of levees and sub-basins in Plaquemines Parish.  For these floodprone areas inside of levees or previously undetermined, the process to find your property is similar to previous guidance. 

To locate a particular property, the first step is to determine which detailed Katrina Addendum #1 Recovery Map panel applies to the area of interest.  Users are directed to the Plaquemines Parish Addendum #1 Index Map dated September 21, 2007 (PDF 2.2MB), which shows the panels produced for inside levee areas based on new USACE storm surge data.  Addendum #1 panels are shown in green text (e.g. K-46) and should be consulted for ABFEs in the respective recovery area.  The index also notes where the non-revised panels in Plaquemines Parish are located by showing those map panels with cross-hatched shading so users will know to refer back to the June 5, 2006, set of panels.  Panels for the September 21, 2007, update were only produced where updated ABFEs were determined for floodprone areas with structures and properties located inside of levees along the east and west banks of the Mississippi River. 

Once the panel number for detailed Addendum #1 Katrina Recovery Map is found, it can be opened by clicking on the corresponding panel number on the parish map that is shown following the index maps.  The map panel will open up in the Internet browser window using the Adobe Acrobat Reader software.  The Addendum #1 Katrina Recovery Maps are of similar size as the previous of maps, with panels ranging in size from 0.9 MB to 1.7 MB.

 

Map of Plaquemines Parish Map Panels Map Panel M43 Map Panel N43 Map Panel N42 Map Panel O41 Map Panel O42 Map Panel P42 Map Panel P41 Map Panel P40 Map Panel P39 Map Panel Q40 Map Panel Q39 Map Panel Q38 Map Panel Q37 Map Panel Q41 Map Panel R39 Map Panel R38 Map Panel R37 Map Panel R36 Map Panel R35 Map Panel S37 Map Panel S36 Map Panel S35 Map Panel S34 Map Panel S33 Map Panel T35 Map Panel T34 Map Panel T33 Map Panel U35 Map Panel U34 Map Panel U33 Map Panel V34 Map Panel V33 Map Panel V32 Map Panel W32 Map Panel W33 Map Panel W34 Map Panel X34 Map Panel X33 Map Panel X32 Map Panel Y34 Map Panel Y35 Map Panel Z36 Map Panel Z35 Map Panel Z34 Map Panel AA35

Map Panel G54 Map Panel H54 Map Panel H53 Map Panel I52 Map Panel I51 Map Panel I50 Map Panel I49 Map Panel I53 Map Panel J52 Map Panel J51 Map Panel J50 Map Panel J49 Map Panel J48 Map Panel J47 Map Panel J46 Map Panel K47 Map Panel K46 Map Panel L46 Map Panel M46 Map Panel M45 Map Panel M44 Map Panel N44

Katrina Recovery Maps are for advisory purposes only; they do not supersede effective Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). The Hurricane Katrina-related data presented are preliminary and subject to update as additional data become available.

How do I determine what Advisory Base Flood Elevation (ABFE) applies to my property?

The Katrina Recovery Maps depict ABFEs (that is, elevation that FEMA recommends be used for rebuilding) for defined areas or zones.  The visual appearance of these advisory zones and elevations was intentionally made similar to the format of flood hazard data shown on FEMA's FIRMs.  [Note: Individuals unfamiliar with FIRMs can view the online tutorial, “How to Read a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM).”]

On the Katrina Recovery Maps, each ABFE zone is outlined in yellow and is labeled with the applicable advisory flood zone type and whole-foot elevation (e.g., ABFE Zone AE EL 12 on the September 21, 2007, maps).  The September 21, 2007, ABFEs are measured relative to North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD88), and this is noted in the recovery map legend.  For more details on ABFE determination, consult the applicable guidance document for Advisory Addendum #1, dated September 21, 2007.

I know my ABFE. How high above ground does this mean I have to elevate my structure?

Since the September 21, 2007, ABFEs are measured relative to NAVD88, property owners will need ground elevations measured in the same vertical datum to determine how high above grade a structure should be elevated to meet the recommended ABFE.  Property owners are advised to consult with a licensed surveyor or professional engineer to determine ground elevations and vertical datum to apply at their site.  Once the ground elevation is known, it can be subtracted from the ABFE to calculate the height above grade the structure's first floor (in Zone AE) should be elevated.

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Last Modified: Friday, 05-Oct-2007 13:12:29 EDT