Flood Protection

The mission of Tangipahoa Parish’s Floodplain Administration is to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare of the community by minimizing public and private losses due to flooding conditions. The oversight of floodplain administration and stormwater management is located within the Office of Community Development. Before a flood event, the floodplain administration office works to educate property owners about their risk and available resources for assistance. After a flood event, the floodplain administration office assists property owners in navigating the various assistance programs and coordinates substantial damage assessments. It’s the administration’s responsibility to uphold the flood prevention and protection ordinance adopted by parish council (CHAPTER 36 – PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT  ARTICLE IX – FLOOD PREVENTION AND PROTECTION).

Our Parish Participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the Community Rating System

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) aims to reduce the impact of flooding on private and public structures. It does so by providing affordable insurance to property owners and renters and by requiring communities to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations.

Click Here To Download our information sheet: Flood Protection for You & Your Property The Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes communities for implementing floodplain management practices that exceed the Federal minimum requirements of the NFIP to provide protection from flooding. In exchange for our proactive efforts to reduce flood risk, flood insurance policyholders receive reduced flood insurance premiums for buildings and homes located in FEMA identified special flood hazard areas. As part of our participation in the CRS Program we must:
  • Be fully compliant with the National Flood Insurance Program;
  • Have NFIP coverage for all municipal buildings;
  • Address Repetitive Loss properties;
  • Maintain Elevation Certificates for all new development; and
  • Maintain Floodproofing Certificates and V-Zone Design Certificates for coastal high hazard areas (V-Zones, Coastal A-Zones) as appropriate.
Helpful Resources for Flood Insurance and Community Rating System Programs Answers to Questions About the National Flood Insurance Program, F-084 (May 2023) Flood Insurance Frequently Asked Questions The NFIP Answer Desk Mandatory Purchase of Flood Insurance Guidelines, FEMA-186, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 1999. Order a Community Rating System publication by: Downloading from the CRS Website resource center Calling 317-848-2898 Emailing an order to [email protected] If you need any further information, clarification, request a flood determination, or request any elevation certificates, LOMA’s on file please contact Tracie Schillace, the Parish’s Floodplain Administrator at 985-340-9028.

Flood Maps FAQ

When did the new flood maps become effective?
The new maps were effective July 22, 2010.

Where can I find my flood zone?
Below are links that can be used to search for flood zones and view flood maps:

Tangipahoa Parish GIS Mapping
https://tangipahoa.org/Residents/GIS-mapping/TanGIS

FEMA Flood Map Service Center 
https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home

LSU Flood Map 
http://maps.lsuagcenter.com/floodmaps/?FIPS=22105

FEMA Flood Depth Estimations
https://webapps.usgs.gov/infrm/estbfe/

Will my flood insurance automatically go down if the maps change?
No, in order to lower flood insurance, residents will need to supply an updated Elevation Certificate from a surveyor that shows the new flood zone and base flood elevations.

What is a “X” flood zone and a “shaded-X” flood zone?
With the new set of maps, FEMA has changed the names of a couple of flood zones. The old “C” zones are now called “X” and the old “B” zones are now “shaded-X”. There is absolutely no difference in the meaning, just the name changed. Neither of these zones are considered high risk, and neither zone requires the purchase of federal flood insurance.

My house is in 2 different flood zones, which one am I?
If 2 different flood zones touch a structure, the more hazardous flood zone will be used. For example, if a house is in both an “A” zone and a “X” zone, the “A” zone will be used to regulate the structure since it is the more hazardous of the two.

Other Flood Related Resources

Does Tangipahoa Parish keep copies of Elevation Certificates?
Yes, the Tangipahoa Parish Permit or Planning offices keep copies of elevation certificates. Attached is a list for reference of certificates on file. Contact either office for copies.

Current River Levels 
https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=LIX

FEMA – Main Website

A copy of the Community’s current Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and the Flood Boundary and Floodway Map and an explanation of their use.
How to use a flood map to protect your property FEMA 258 May 1995.
https://emilms.fema.gov/is_0273/groups/21.html

Repairing Your Flooded Home, FEMA-234, 1992.
This handbook provides property owners with information on several methods of flood protection.

Order a FEMA publication by:
Downloading from FEMA’s website. Many of the publications have a direct site listed. These can change over time so www.fema.gov should be searched if a FEMA publication’s link does not work.
PHONE: 1 (800) 480-2520
FAX: 1 (240) 699-0525
MAIL: FEMA Distribution Center
4440 Buckeystown Pike
Frederick, MD 21704
Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for free shipping.

Links to Documents on Protecting a Building

Above the Flood: Elevating Your Floodprone House, FEMA-347, 2000

Homeowner’s Guide to Retrofitting: Six Ways to Protect Your House from Flooding. FEMA-312, 1998.

Repairing Your Flooded Home, FEMA-234, 1992

Elevated Residential Structures, FEMA-54, 1984.

Coastal Construction Manual, FEMA-P-55, (2011)

Manufactured Home Installation in Flood Hazard Areas, FEMA-85, 1985.

Protecting Manufactured Homes from Floods and Other Hazards, FEMA P-85 (2009)

Flood Proofing Nonresidential Structures, FEMA-102, 1986.

Design Manual for Retrofitting Flood-Prone Residential Structures, FEMA-114, 1986.

Engineering Principles and Practices for Retrofitting Flood -Prone Residential Buildings, FEMA-259, 1995.

Mitigation of Flood and Erosion Damage to Residential Buildings in Coastal Areas, FEMA-257, 1994.

Protecting Building Utilities From Flood Damage, FEMA-P-348 (2017)​

Reducing Flood Losses Through the International Code Series, FEMA, 2000.

Reducing Damage from Localized Flooding, FEMA 511 (2005)

Repetitive Flood Portal

https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/ProjectPlanning/nnc/

https://www.usace.army.mil/corpsclimate/climate_preparedness_and_resilience/coastal-Risk-and-Reduction-and-Resilience/

Hard copies can also be ordered from:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, CECW-PD National Nonstructural/Flood Proofing Committee
Attn: Joe Remondini
1645 South 101st East Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74128
(918) 669-7197.

Flood Proofing Systems & Techniques, December 1984. (Out of Print and available only via the website.)
Flood-Proofing Regulations, EP 1165 3 314, 1992.
Flood Proofing Performance – Successes & Failures, 1998
Flood Proofing Techniques, Programs, and References, January 1996.
Raising and Moving the Slab-On-Grade House, 1990
A Flood Proofing Success Story, September 1993
Flood Proofing: How to Evaluate Your Options, July 1993
Flood Proofing Technology in the Tug Fork Valley, April 1994
Local Flood Proofing Programs, June 1994

Links to documents on community floodplain management or flood hazard mitigation:

Design Guidelines for Flood Damage Reduction, FEMA-15, December 1981

A Unified National Program for Floodplain Management, FEMA-248, May 1994
Reducing Losses in High Risk Flood Hazard Areas – A Guidebook for Local Officials, FEMA-116, February 1987.

Link to documents on the natural and beneficial functions of floodplains:

Protecting Floodplain Resources, FEMA-268 (1996)

www.floodsmart.gov

Link to the National Weather Service River Gauges

USEPA Wetlands Fact Sheets and other types of assistance can be obtained by contacting the EPA’s Wetlands Information Hotline at 1-800-832-7828 or [email protected] The fact sheets can also be downloaded from HERE.

Community Contact Information

15485 West Club Deluxe Rd.
Hammond, Louisiana 70403
Phone: 985-542-2117
Fax: 985-542-8574

Personnel:

Bridget Bailey, M.Ed., Certified Floodplain Manager
Community Development Director
[email protected]

Tracie Schillace, Certified Floodplain Manager
Planning Department Director
[email protected]

Nic Leblanc, Certified Floodplain
Certified Building Official
[email protected]

Louisiana State NFIP Coordinator

Cindy O’Neal
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
P.O. Box 94245, Capitol Station
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
Phone: 225-274-4354
Fax: 225-274-4351
Email: [email protected]

FEMA Region 6 Mapping Contact

FEMA Region VI
Shona M. Gibson, PE
800 North Loop 288
Denton, TX 76209
O: 940-383-7326
C: 940-312-3224

FEMA Fax
202-646-FEMA

FEMA Region 6 Floodplain Management and Compliance Specialist

John Miles
800 N. Loop 288
Denton, TX 76209
C: 816-533-2873