US Army Corps Backs $1.3 Billion Flood Plan for Homes & Businesses in 3 Louisiana Parishes

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signed a $1.3 billion plan to elevate or flood-proof 2,240 homes and businesses in Louisiana's Iberia, St. Martin and St. Mary parishes.

These areas are susceptible to storm surge flooding during tropical storms and hurricanes. Additionally, the plan will protect individual homes and businesses.

According to NOLA, Lt. Gen. Scott Spellman, chief of engineers with the Corps, said in a letter to Congress that the South Central Coast flood risk reduction plan will result in an annual net reduction in flood damages of more than $14 million a year.

Congress must still authorize the plan and fund it in future Corps budgets. 

The plan targets buildings located in the 25-year floodplain in the three parishes, which have 4% chance of flooding every year from storm surges, reported NOLA. Homes and businesses in parts of the following communities are included: Delcambre, Emma, Avery Island, Lydia, Jeanerette, Glencoe, Cypremort Point, Charenton, Baldwin, Franklin, Centerville, Calumet, Avalon, Patterson, Idlewood, Bayou Vista, and Morgan City. 

However, voluntary participation by homeowners and businesses is required, reported NOLA.

According to the Corps, there are 1,790 residential structures whose living space would be elevated no greater than 13 feet above ground level, which the interior of the building will have only a 0.25% or 400-year chance of flooding, according to Corps estimates. The improved New Orleans area levee system is also designed to protect against 1% surge events, or the 100-year storm, reported NOLA. 

NOLA reports 185 warehouses would be eligible for "wet flood-proofing," giving the buildings the stability to withstand a 71-year storm event.

The flood-proofing will result in $45.1 million in avoided flood damage each year, according to the Corps' estimates, reported NOLA. Approximately $31 million in flood damage in the area will still occur, with $14 million a year in net savings. 

Additionally, to be eligible for funding, a building will have had to exist before Congress authorizes the project, reported NOLA.

Corps officials rejected proposals that would: build new extensions of existing levees in the three parishes; new ring levees around small communities in the parishes; and a long levee south of U.S. 90 through all three parishes.

According to the Corps' estimates, the initial flood-proofing program's costs to total $914.8 million. The federal government is paying $594.6 million and the state $320.2 million. The state would be responsible for an estimated $382,000 a year in operation and maintenance costs for the program for 50 years, beginning in 2025, then making the total cost $1.3 billion.