Flood Protection
FEMA has released the updated Elevation Certificate form on Friday, July 7, 2023. To obtain a copy of the form please click here.
The mission of the City of Mandeville'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. 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 the City Council (Article 8.3 Flood Damage Prevention Regulations).
The map information and data listed here is used regularly by the department staff when reviewing regulatory procedures. The listed information is checked regularly, and updated annually. Any data here is available to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) by request, at no cost.
The city of Mandeville maintains all FIRMs, annexations, resubdivision plats, subdivision plats, or LOMRs as paper files in the Department of Planning and Development. This information is also maintained digitally with a backup located off-site of City Hall. As part of the annexation process, all petitions must provide a Flood Zone determination letter from the jurisdiction where the property is located. The City of Mandeville requires a local permit for any development located within a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA)
The City of Mandeville 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. (There is a 30 day waiting period when starting a new policy before it goes into effect)
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. Currently the City of Mandeville holds a class 5 rating.
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
Order a Community Rating System publication by:
Downloading from the CRS Website resource center
Calling 317-848-2898
Emailing an order to NFIPCRS@ISO.com
If you want to sign up to receive emergency alerts for the City of Mandeville click here
If you need any further information, clarification, to request a flood determination, or request any elevation certificates or LOMA's on file please contact Lauren Brinkman, the City's Floodplain Administrator at 985-624-3103. You can also visit City Hall at 3101 East Causeway Approach, Mandeville LA 70448
Flood Map FAQ
When will the new maps become effective?
The new maps were effective May 16, 2012
Where can I find my new flood zone?
You can find your flood zone at the Louisiana Mapping Project, maps may be searched by address. Other useful sites are listed below
City of Mandeville GIS Mapping
Will my flood insurance automatically go down once 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 two different flood zones, which one am I?
If two 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.
My flood zone is getting more restrictive - what do I do?
The city would like for homeowners to contact Lauren Brinkman, the Floodplain Administrator for the City, in order to discuss your options in more detail you can call 985-624-3103
Be Safe During a Flood - Protect Yourself
- Turn Around, Don't Drown.
- Drowning is the number one cause of flood deaths. Protect yourself and your loved ones.
- Listen to authorities and move to a safe place if you are ordered to evacuate.
- Do not walk through flood water. Just six inches of moving water can knock you down. If you must walk in water, use a pole or stick to check that the ground is there.
- Do not drive through flood water. More people drown in cars than anywhere else. Don’t drive around road barriers because the road or bridge may be washed out.
- Stay far away from power lines. The number two flood killer is electrocution. Electrical current travels through water. Report downed power lines.
- Be alert for gas leaks. Don’t smoke or use open flames unless you know the gas is off and the area has been ventilated.
Protect your Property - Build Responsibly
Standard property insurance does not cover flood damage. A separate flood policy is required for damage caused by surface water flooding and is available to property owners and renters.
Some flood protection measures are expensive. The Federal government, through the City, offers grants to mitigate flood risk to properties. This can include elevating the structure, or having the government acquire the property and either relocate or demolish the structure.
Grants are regularly available for repetitive loss properties. Sometimes there may be additional programs for other types of assistance, send an email to Lauren Brinkman or call the permit office at 985-624-3103 for more information.
Other Flood Related Resources
Does the City of Mandeville keep copies of Elevation Certificates?
Yes, the City of Mandeville Planning Department keeps copies of elevation certificates. Attached is a list for reference of certificates on file. Contact the office for copies.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Main Website
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Main Website
The City of Mandeville recognizes the importance of maintaining the cities drainage system. If you would like to report any suspected unauthorized floodplain development, work without a permit or illegal dumping into the drainage system, please click here
The City of Mandeville coordinates with the St. Tammany Parish emergency operations center (EOC) click here for safety tips for evacuation routes and sheltering in place.
Obtain 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.
Contact Information
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: coneal@dotdmail.dotd.state.la.us
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
Supporting Documents
Letter of Map Change (538 KB) The Benefits and Costs of Freeboard (628 KB) 