NEW VERMILION PARISH, LOUISIANA FLOOD MAPS TO GO INTO EFFECT

Vermilion Parish homeowners, business and residential renters, and business owners who do not have flood insurance are encouraged to buy coverage now to get the best possible premiums before new flood insurance rate maps go into effect.

New flood maps become effective on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011, according to officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The new flood insurance rate maps show locations of the 1 percent and 0.2 percent floodplains and floodways, which indicate possible flooding risks. This could mean a change in floodplain status.

While many are required by mortgage and lending companies to have flood insurance, FEMA and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) strongly recommend that everyone have flood insurance. The reason is simple: You don't have to be in a mapped floodplain to flood.

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