What is floodplain
management? Twenty-seven years ago the Parish adopted floodplain management regulations
to reduce future flood damages. Since the Parish became a participant in the
National Flood Insurance Program, citizens have the availability to purchase
flood insurance and receive federal funds when a disaster strikes
(hurricane, flooding, tornado). In return, the Parish must regulate
development within the Parish when property is located in a flood hazard
zone. 32% of Calcasieu Parish is located in a floodplain (flood hazard
zone).
Calcasieu Parish took one step further and became a participant the
Community Rating System (equivalent to fire rating) which gives the citizens
a discount on their flood insurance premium. We save on an average of
$66,947.90 each year for citizens due to our participation in the Community
Rating System.
Calcasieu Parish is located in southwest Louisiana and has a land area of
about 1,094 square miles and a water area of approximately 23 square miles
with an average elevation of 0 - 95 feet above sea level. Calcasieu Parish
is bordered by Beauregard Parish on the north, Jefferson Davis Parish on the
east, Cameron Parish on the south, and the Sabine River / Newton and Orange
County, Texas on the west. Total acreage for Calcasieu Parish is 685,570
acres.
Calcasieu Parish is one of the five parishes that make up the Imperial
Calcasieu parishes and is located in southwestern Louisiana. Considered to
be located in the highlands, its subtropical climate is ideal for
agricultural enterprises with an average of 57.2 inches of annual rainfall
and temperatures ranging from 58º in January to 92º in July.
Many types of natural hazards have affected Calcasieu Parish. Natural
hazards that have impacted the region include flooding, ice storms,
tornadoes, hurricanes, and drought. Flooding is one of the most common
hazards in all 50 states and is the most costly of all natural disasters in
the United States. Floods kill an average of 150 people a year nationwide
and have caused the deaths of more than 10,000 people since 1900. Most
injuries and deaths occur when people are swept away by flood currents and
most property damage results from inundation by sediment-laden water. Faster
moving floodwater can wash buildings off their foundations and sweep
vehicles downstream. Pipelines, bridges, and other infrastructure can be
damaged when high water combines with flood debris. Property damage from
flooding now totals over $1 billion each year in the United States (USGS).
Flooding is a potential threat in virtually every section of Louisiana and
is Louisiana’s most prevalent and pervasive natural hazard threat. More than
one-half of Louisiana can be considered a floodplain as much of the state is
in the Mississippi River Delta, which has the largest drainage of any basin
in North America. The state’s sub-tropical climate has the potential for
producing heavy rainfalls during any time of the year. Rains of up to 10
inches in a 2-day period are not rare and are capable of producing
considerable flooding. The major source of moisture is the Gulf of Mexico,
from which summer thunderstorm systems, tropical storms, and hurricanes in
the late summer and fall and frontal systems in the winter and spring can
bring intense rainfall.
Calcasieu Parish Flood History
Calcasieu Parish has had 6 flood events since 1965 resulting in presidential
declarations. The floods not only affect human life, but also the economy
and wildlife as evidenced by the Calcasieu Estuary.
Calcasieu
Estuary is nestled among the urban districts of Lake Charles in the
southwestern corner of Louisiana, approximately 15 miles north of the Gulf
of Mexico. The estuary incorporates the area of the Calcasieu River from
northern Moss Lake to the saltwater barrier at Lake Charles. Many areas of
the estuary, such as Moss Lake, Prien Lake and Lake Charles, were once fresh
water, but have become more saline due to alterations of the hydrography.
The estuary can be divided into four areas: Bayou Veredine, Bayou D'inde,
Upper Calcasieu River and Lower Calcasieu River.
Flooding in Calcasieu Parish is typically the result of river flooding from
excessive rainfall and flooding that occurs in conjunction with tropical
storms and hurricanes. Annual average precipitation for 1961-1990 for
Calcasieu Parish as reported by NOAA is 59.74 – 74.63 inches. Calcasieu
Parish is located along the eastern portion of the Sabine River Basin. The
Sabine River is formed by three tributaries, which begin in Collin County
and Hunt County in northeast Texas, and becomes the boundary between Texas
and Louisiana near Logansport, Louisiana. The river flows for 555 miles and
has a total drainage basin area of 9,756 square miles, of which 7,426 are in
Texas and the remainder in Louisiana. The Sabine is situated in an area of
abundant rainfall. Average annual precipitation is between 37 inches at its
source and 50 inches at its mouth. It flows through forested sandy country
adaptable to the conservation of runoff and is fed by many flowing
tributaries and springs. Average runoff within 97 percent of the Sabine
River basin during the 1941-67 periods was about 640 acre-feet per square
mile.
The Sabine River basin is
characterized by flat slopes and wide, timbered floodplains. High rainfall
rates produce frequent flooding of low-lying areas and large floods occur on
the average every five years. Floods generally rise and fall slowly,
although flash floods occasionally occur in the basin. During flooding the
lowest part of the basin usually remains inundated for many days, and
sometimes for several weeks. The extreme southern portion of the river is
subject to hurricane flooding. In its upper reaches the river traverses
rolling terrain with soils of deep sandy loams, loamy sands, and sand.
Major flooding on this river can have serious impacts on residents and
businesses located along the river. Toomey and Starks are the largest
communities adjacent to the river basin that have significant flood
experience as a result of the river exceeding its banks and flooding
property along and adjacent to the river banks. Flooding in these areas is
significant and appears to be increasing over the last five to six years.
Over the past century, there
has been an apparent increase in large rainstorms and resultant flooding
associated with frontal activity, particularly in the late winter and spring
(LOEP, 2001). Frequent flooding is of particular concern in areas of active
growth and development.
The two significant flood
events that caused over $1 million in damage to property in Calcasieu Parish
occurred in February 1999 and March 2001 and are detailed below. February 1999 Sabine River Flood
On January 29 and 30, 1999, a slow moving storm system dumped 3 to 11 inches
of rain across northeast Texas and northwest Louisiana. Much of this rain
fell over the upper Sabine River basin that resulted in significant rises in
river levels along the Sabine River. The Toledo Bend Reservoir that is
managed by the Sabine River Authority largely controls the lower Sabine
River. Once the Toledo Bend Reservoir reaches 172.50 feet MSL the spillway
gates are generally opened. Toledo Bend Reservoir reached 172.50 feet at
8:30 p. m. on January 29, 1999 and crested at 173.92 feet on January 31,
1999.
To relieve pressure from the Toledo Bend dam, the spillway gates were opened
to release water from the reservoir. This had an immediate impact on river
levels downstream of the dam. The first river gauge location below the dam
is at Burkeville, Texas and the river crested at 47.66 feet on February 1.
Flood stage at Burkeville is 43 feet. The next river gauging location is
located near Bon Wier, Texas and Merryville, Louisiana. River levels crested
at 37.52 feet on February 3, and flood stage at Bon Wier and Merryville is
30 feet. Many families were forced from their homes due to rising water.
On Sunday, February 7,
Louisiana Governor, Mike Foster, declared a state of emergency for
Calcasieu, and Vernon Parishes, each of which incurred major flood damage.
At least 30 homes were damaged in Calcasieu Parish and more than 30 homes in
Vernon Parish were severely damaged. On the Louisiana side of the river,
hundreds of acres of farmland were washing away, as well as a dozen cattle.
Woodlands near the river were also significantly impacted. Over 200 people
were forced to evacuate. Dozens of roads were damaged from high water,
causing the damages to rise to 1.5 million dollars between Calcasieu Parish
and Vernon Parish. The 1999 Sabine River flood was the highest flood level
since the floods of May and July of 1989.
June 6-8, 2001 Flooding from Tropical Storm Allison
Tropical Storm Allison ravaged U. S. coastal areas with torrential rain and
flooding for nearly two weeks in June 2001. Damages from this tropical storm
proved to be the costliest in U. S. history, with damages topping $6 billion
and insured losses of $2.5 billion and 50 deaths. $65 million in losses were
in the State of Louisiana.
The heavy rain from Tropical
Storm Allison that hit southeastern Texas moved into Calcasieu Parish,
resulting in widespread street flooding on June 6. Most of the damage was a
result of street flooding and water in houses. FEMA identified Calcasieu as
one of four parishes in southwest Louisiana that suffered the greatest
impact. Allison caused more than $5 million in damages to southeast Texas
and southwest Louisiana. Allison was designated a "significant weather
event" by NCDC.
November 27 to December 6, 2001
Flooding from Severe Weather
From November 27, 2001 to December 6, 2001 Calcasieu Parish was subjected to
heavy rains with as much as 12” of rain per day. A study of the damages
indicates that of 46 homes reporting flooding approximately 37% had flood
insurance. Significant economic hardship was experienced as a result of the
prolonged flood conditions within the Parish. Many roads were closed and
residents in low-lying areas were not able to access their homes and/or
property. Livestock losses were significant however statistical data is not
available. The flooding was so widespread that no part of the Parish escaped
the wrath of the severe weather.
A review of the flood loss
history from 1994 – 2004 indicates that of the 29 events, 10 accounted for
more than 50% of the total economic losses. A review of the distribution of
flood events by months indicates that the month of October has the highest
frequency of events; with the month of January having the greatest economic
losses.
Hurricanes and Tropical Storms
The central Gulf of Mexico coastline is among the most hurricane-prone
locations in the United States. While the Atlantic Basin hurricane season
officially extends from June 1 to November 30, Louisiana has experienced
storms as early as late May and has not experienced a storm during the month
of November for more than 100 years. The peak of activity occurs in
September. Hurricanes and tropical cyclones get their energy from warm
waters and lose strength as the system crosses land. Hurricanes and tropical
storms can bring severe winds, storm surge flooding along coastal regions,
high waves, coastal erosion, extreme rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning,
inland flooding, and tornadoes. Among these, storm surge, an increase above
the normal astronomical high tide of tidally influenced bodies of water, is
perhaps the most threatening hurricane-related hazard to Louisiana. Intense
storms with high wind speeds and low barometric pressures drive water across
the coast, increasing the elevation of water. Storm surges inundate coastal
floodplains, cause backwater flooding through coastal river mouths, and
generate large waves that run up and flood coastal beaches (State Hazard
Mitigation Plan).
Calcasieu Parish Hurricane
and Tropical Storm Disaster History
Calcasieu Parish is inland, so its residents and property are at greatest
risk from high winds and associated flooding as the storm moves inland.
Hurricane force winds of 74 mph and greater can destroy poorly constructed
buildings and mobile homes. Debris and other items outside can become flying
missiles. River flooding from heavy rains, saturated soil and overwhelmed
flood control systems is a greater threat inland. The Parish is also at risk
from tornadoes that are spawned by hurricanes and tropical storms as they
move inland.
Historically few hurricanes track through Calcasieu Parish, however,
associated flooding and severe windstorms do impact the Parish when adjacent
parishes are exposed to hurricanes. Consequently, the impacts of these
storms are often recorded as flood events.
Figure 5-1 represents a graphical depiction of the three hurricane storm
tracks that have tracked through Calcasieu parish. Note that each of these
hurricanes tracked south to north along the western most sector of the
Parish; and that this segment of the Parish is adjacent to the Sabine River
basin as is subject to significant flooding.
Additionally the Inland Wind Decay Model – Maximum Envelope of Wind (MEOW)
identifies Calcasieu Parish as being subjected to hurricane winds at speeds
of 92 miles per hour, and, therefore is subjected to winds capable of
causing significant damage to buildings constructed of poorer quality,
mobile homes and lightweight metal covers.
Inland Wind Decay Model Maximum Envelope of
Wind (MEOW)
The most recent hurricane to
impact Calcasieu Parish was Hurricane Lili in October 2002. Hurricane Lili
made landfall the morning of October 3, 2002 near Intracoastal City in
Vermilion Parish as a Category 1 hurricane. Flooding was the principle
impact to the parish. Residents of the parish that had homes in low lying
areas were evacuated. Power interruptions and flooding contributed to the
bulk of the losses with some downed trees and wind damage to building roofs.
As indicated earlier, more than 48,000 claims were filed with FEMA by
homeowners who received damage along the path of Lili, from southwest to
central Louisiana.
Permit Requirements
All development in the Parish requires a permit. The following documents are
required to obtain a permit:
Approval from the Health Unit
on the sewage system (480-2550) (if you have plumbing in your building)
Legal description of the
property (i.e. abstract, tax assessment, or deed)
Square footage under roof
Estimated cost of development
(excluding land)
Number of circuits in panel
box when structure is complete (excluding manufactured homes)
Name of utility company that
services your area
Number of plumbing fixtures
Elevation surveys:
(a) elevation of ground survey submitted with application
(b) elevation of floor and electrical equipment to be submitted prior to
final electrical inspection
To obtain a permit please
bring all necessary paperwork to:
Division of Planning & Development
1015 Pithon St. 3rd Floor
Lake Charles, LA 70601
(337) 721-3610
To report unpermitted development, please call our Code Enforcement Office
at (337) 721-3625
If you have obtained a permit from the Division of Planning & Development
and had to submit an elevation certificate (EC) it is on file at our office
and copies are available for your needs.
Substantial Improvement/Damage
What constitutes "substantial improvement" or "substantial damage"?
"Substantial improvement" means any rehabilitation, addition, or other
improvement of a building when either the cost of the improvement equals or
exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the building, or exceeds 30
percent of the existing floor plan square footage prior to commencement of
construction. The term includes buildings that have incurred "substantial
damage." "Substantial damage" means damage of any origin sustained by a
building when the cost of restoring the building to its pre-damaged
condition would equal or exceed 50 percent of the market value of the
building before the damage occurred. Substantial damage is determined
regardless of the actual repair work performed. *
Substantial improvement or damage does not, however, include any project for
improvement of a building to correct existing violations of State or local
health, sanitary, or safety code specifications identified by local code
enforcement officials as the minimum specifications necessary to assure safe
living conditions. Also excluded from the substantial improvement
requirement are alterations to historic buildings as defined by the NFIP.
*This is a section has been modified slightly and taken from the
U.S. FEMA Website
For most of us, our home is
by far our most valuable possession. Every year floods damage more homes in
the U.S. than any other natural disaster.
Homeowner’s
insurance DOES NOT cover damage caused by flooding!!! You must purchase
a separate policy from your insurance agent.
People who live near water
are not the only ones who experience flooding. Floods move, and can spread
for miles. They can have strong currents that, in a few moments, can sweep
away everything that took a lifetime to accumulate, leaving a thick residue
of mud and debris behind. It's not just high-risk areas that are flooded.
Between 20 and 25 percent of flood insurance claims come from a medium or
low flood-risk areas.
The fact is, a flood could
happen to you.
Fortunately, you can protect yourself and your future from the crippling
financial losses often caused by flooding through a program administered by
the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Under FEMA's National Flood
Insurance Program (NFIP), federally backed flood insurance is available in
communities that adopt and enforce regulations to reduce flood losses
(Calcasieu Parish is one of these communities). Flood insurance provides
coverage that your homeowners insurance doesn't - coverage for damages
caused by floods. When you purchase flood insurance, there is a 30-day
waiting period before coverage begins.
The good news is that more than 19,000 communities in the United States and
its territories that are faced with potential flooding participate in the
NFIP, so the chances are excellent that flood insurance is available to you.
Calcasieu
Parish is a participating community in the National Flood Insurance Program.
Flood insurance is far better protection than depending on Federal disaster
assistance, which is available, only if a disaster is Federally declared.
If you have a flood insurance policy, you can be reimbursed for all your
covered losses, even if a disaster is not Federally declared. In contrast,
Federal disaster assistance is often a loan - repayable in full - with
interest! With a flood insurance policy, all you have to pay is one annual
premium. Then, if you suffer losses due to flooding, you will be reimbursed
for your covered losses, and you'll never have to pay a nickel back. Flood
insurance is affordable. The average flood insurance premium costs
approximately $390 a year for an average of $100,000 of coverage. However,
paying back a $50,000 disaster home loan, for example, will cost an average
of $311 a month - for an average repayment period of 20 years! And of
course, if you are not insured, and a Federal disaster is not declared, your
home and belongings may be ruined with no hope for recovery.
Protect yourself, your home,
your family, and your financial future.
Call your insurance company or agent to find out if your community
participates in the NFIP. If it does, ask for details about how to buy flood
insurance. Do it today. Policies go into effect 30 days after a policy is
purchased. Protect your home and your family today.
As long as your community
participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, except for areas
protected by the Coastal Barrier Resources Act, you can purchase a flood
insurance policy. Whether you live in an area likely to flood or in one
that is at low risk, you can purchase flood insurance.
There are times when you
may be required to purchase flood insurance. If you buy a house in a
designated high-risk area, and receive a mortgage loan from a Federally
regulated lender, your lender must, by law, require that you buy flood
insurance.
Coverage is available for
residential and commercial buildings and contents, and can also be
purchased by renters:
Up to $250,000 for single-family, two-to-four family, and
other residential buildings.
Up to $500,000 for non-residential buildings, including small
businesses.
Up to $100,000 for contents coverage for residences for owners
and/or renters.
Up to $500,000 for contents for businesses, including small
businesses
For more information about the NFIP and flood insurance, contact your
insurance company or agent, or call the NFIP at 1-888-CALL-FLOOD, TDD#
1-800-427-5593.
The Community Information
Section of the phone book also provides general flood tips.
NOAA Weather Radio
NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) is a nationwide network of radio stations
broadcasting continuous weather information direct from a nearby
National Weather
Service office. NWR broadcasts National Weather Service warnings,
watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day. Working with
the Federal Communication
Commission's (FCC)
Emergency Alert System, NWR is an "all hazards" radio network, making it
your single source for comprehensive weather and emergency information. NWR
also broadcasts warning and post-event information for all types of
hazards--both natural (such as earthquakes and volcano activity) and
environmental (such as chemical releases or oil spills).
Known as the "Voice of NOAA's
National Weather Service," NWR is provided as a public service by the
National Oceanic &
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), part of the Department of Commerce.
NWR includes more than
900
transmitters, covering all 50 states, adjacent coastal waters, Puerto
Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the U.S. Pacific Territories. NWR
requires a special radio
receiver or scanner capable of picking up the signal. Broadcasts are
found in the public service band at these seven frequencies (MHz):
No person shall
intentionally dump, leave or deposit any glass or metallic objects,
trash, refuse or garbage on any parish street, road, highway,
right-of-way, park or any other property owned, leased, or maintained by
the parish.
No person shall
intentionally dump, leave or deposit any debris, which will interfere
with or impede the natural drainage of any natural drainage canal or
ditch within the parish. This subsection shall be applicable to all
natural drainage canals and ditches within the parish, including those
located totally within an existing gravity drainage district.
(Code 1969, § 16-26; Ord. No. 1472, §§ 1--3, 4-3-74)
In order to keep our homes safe from flooding due to congested drains,
we must ensure clean ditches and streams: To report violators, please
call (337) 721-3700
For more information contact:
Division of Planning and Development
P.O. Drawer 3287
1015 Pithon Street Lake Charles, LA 70602
PHONE: (337) 721-3600
FAX:(337) 437-4100
1-800-826-6092
Calcasieu
Estuary is nestled among the urban districts of Lake Charles in the
southwestern corner of Louisiana, approximately 15 miles north of the Gulf
of Mexico. The estuary incorporates the area of the Calcasieu River from
northern Moss Lake to the saltwater barrier at Lake Charles. Many areas of
the estuary, such as Moss Lake, Prien Lake and Lake Charles, were once fresh
water, but have become more saline due to alterations of the hydrography.
The estuary can be divided into four areas: Bayou Veredine, Bayou D'inde,
Upper Calcasieu River and Lower Calcasieu River.
