Flooding is a recurring risk for the 53,807 residents in Vermilion Parish. Hurricanes, tropical systems, levee failures, sudden heavy rainfall and flash flooding have historically caused millions of dollars in flood damage to this area. 
Hurricane Rita blew over Vermilion Parish, with wind speeds between 70 and 100 mph, creating a storm surge of 20 feet that flooded the southern coastal regions of the parish. A second storm surge of close to 13 feet inundated the parish floodplain south of Abbeville. With flood insured damages totaling $400 million in the state, 15 percent of damages were in Vermilion Parish alone.
VERMILION PARISH FLOOD FACTS 
(Source: National Flood Insurance Program)
Flooding costs Vermilion Parish. Since 1978, insured flood losses in Louisiana totaled more than $75.4 million. 
More Vermilion Parish residents are flood insured. Policies have increased 29 percent in the past year, to 6,506 as of June 2007.
However, 68 percent of Vermilion Parish households remain at financial risk. There are close to 20,000 households in Vermilion Parish and only 6,506 flood insurance policies in effect.
Insured Vermilion Parish residents need to maintain coverage. In Vermillion Parish, approximately 1,490  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.

Vermilion Parish Flood Fact Sheet