Flooding is a recurring risk for the 75,509
residents in Iberia Parish.  Hurricanes, tropical systems, sudden heavy rainfall and flash flooding have historically caused millions of dollars in flood damage. 
Less than a month after Hurricane Katrina hit the Louisiana coast, Iberia Parish suffered more intense devastation from Hurricane Rita.  The 12-foot storm surge came 10 to 20 miles inland, leaving half of the parish’s landmass underwater. Insured flood damages from these storms totaled $38.5 million in Iberia Parish alone.

IBERIA PARISH FLOOD FACTS 
(Source: National Flood Insurance Program)
Flooding costs Iberia Parish. Since 1978, insured flood losses in Iberia Parish totaled more than $45.8 million. 
More Iberia Parish residents are flood insured. Policies have increased 13 percent in the past year, to 4,925 as of June 2007.
However, 80 percent of Iberia households remain at financial risk. There are more than 25,000 households in Iberia Parish and only 4,925 flood insurance policies in effect.
Insured Iberia Parish residents need to maintain coverage. In Iberia Parish, approximately 1,180 flood insurance policies are expected to lapse from August - November 30, 2007. Residents need to keep their insurance policy current, to ensure they are covered during peak hurricane season.
BE FLOODSMART 
Tips for Parish residents to lower their flood risk: 
* Learn your flood risk. Find out your flood risk by entering your address at FloodSmart.gov “Assess Your Risk.” Insurance agents can provide more detailed information and insurance options.
* Purchase a flood insurance policy. Most homeowners insurance does not cover floods and there is typically a 30-day waiting period before a policy becomes effective. If you already have a flood policy, remember: it needs to be renewed each year.
* Move important objects and papers to a safe place.  Store your valuables where they can’t get damaged.
* Conduct a thorough home inventory. Thorough documentation of your belongings will help you file your flood insurance claim. For more information, visit www.knowyourstuff.org.
* Reduce your flood risk through home improvements. Visit FloodSmart.gov to learn about ways to lower the risk of sewer backup, basement flooding and other flood-related issues.
* Plan for evacuation. Plan and practice a flood evacuation route, ask someone out of state to be your “family contact” in an emergency, and ensure everyone knows the contact’s address and phone number.
* Build an emergency supply kit. Food, bottled water, first aid supplies, medicines and a battery-operated radio should be ready to go when you are. Visit www.ready.gov for a disaster supply checklist.

Iberia Parish Flood Fact Sheet