The following Flood Protection Information provided on CityofZachary.org is updated annually to meet the requirements for CRS Recertification.

Updated November 29, 2011

View Flood Maps at FEMA Map Service Center

Useful Information Regarding Flooding

East Baton Rouge Office of Emergency Preparedness 225-389-2100
Drainage Issues                                                                     225-654-0201
Inspections/Floodplain Management                              225-654-6873
Or visit:
FEMA at www.fema.gov
LSU AgCenter Flood Map Portal

Information on Getting a Building Permit, your area Flood zone & Flood Maps

LSU Ag Center at www.lsuagcenter.com
National Flood Insurance Program at www.floodsmart.gov
USGS (River and Stream Flow Conditions) at www.usgs.gov

Flood Warning Program for East Baton Rouge Parish Residents

The East Baton Rouge Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness maintains an early Flodo Warning Program.  Most of the flooding damage occurs due to backwater flooding along the Amite and Comite Rivers and their tributaries. With the technology of today, our local weather service can predict most approaching severe storms and the amount of rain that may fall in given areas.  The warning time for flash flooding will be approximately two hours advance notice and 24 to 48 hours for backwater river flooding.  With this knowledge available, the rise and fall of the local rivers and streams in our communities can be predicted.  This information is passed on to the local television and radio stations by the weather service to be made public so that the necessary steps can be taken to protect our property from flood waters and the damage it will cause.  In the event of a flood, refer to your local television or radio for emergency broadcasts or call the EBR Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness at 389-2100.

Flood Emergency Phone Numbers

Local Television Stations

WBRZ Channel 2 – 387-2222
WAFB Channel 9 – 383-9999
WVLA Channel 33 – 766-3233
WBTR Channel 19 - 928-3146

All Commercial AM & FM Radio Stations
NOAA Radio KHB46
National Weather Service – 357-9743
Cable TV Channels 2 & 16

The Flood Hazard

The City of Zachary has approximately 45 percent of the land area that has a potential of being flooded by a 100 year frequency flood.  The principle flooding in the City of Zachary is caused by backwater flooding from the Comite River and it’s tributaries.  The Comite River is a major tributary of the Amite River, therefore affected by the backflow from the Amite.  Some of the additional tributaries that are affected by backwater in Zachary include White’s Bayou, Coppermill Bayou, Cypress Bayou and Indian Bayou.

 

 Flood Maps and Publications

Flood maps for Zachary are available for review at the City of Zachary Inspections Office, located at 4650 Main Street in Zachary, at all E.B.R Parish Libraries, and the University Libraries.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Insurance Administration (FIA) publications which include information on flood protection methods, flood insurance, and floodplain management are also available at most of these same locations.  Elevation certificates of recently constructed buildings can be obtained at the City of Zachary Inspections Office.

 

Flood Zone Determination and Certificates of Elevation

Flood Zone Determinations are provided by the City of Zachary Inspections Department.  Certificates of Elevation are provided by Professional Engineers, Professional Land Surveyors or Registered Architects from the private sector on a fee basis.

Flood Insurance

Flood Insurance is highly recommended because almost half of Zachary and East Baton Rouge Parish is located in the FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA)*.  There are two types of coverage: structural and contents.  Renters can buy contents coverage only.  Flood Insurance is available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and information about this insurance is available through your local insurance agent.  Don’t wait for the next flood as there is a 30 day waiting period for coverage to take effect.

Note: Flood Insurance is not covered by normal homeowners insurances.

*100 year flood plain

What are “Freeboard Requirements” and why are they necessary?

Freeboard provides a safety factor for greater protection against flash flooding, headwater flooding and backwater flooding.  What is freeboard?  Freeboard is a term used to describe a factor of safety expressed in feet above a design flood level for flood protective or control works.  Freeboard is intended to allow for the uncertainties in analysis, design and construction which cannot be fully or readily considered.  The building permit applicant can build with confidence since the risk of a flooded structure has been greatly reduced.

Why is a Certificate of Elevation and the Plan Review Process needed when building?

The Certificate of Elevation form is a prerequisite to obtaining flood insurance for policy holders in all A and AE flood zones.

This Certificate of Elevation and review program provides consistent regulations to prevent one development from adversely affecting another development.

The Special Flood Hazard (100 year flood plain) boundaries on flood maps are approximate.  The Certificate of Elevation determines the flood zone for your property and determines the proper elevation of your building.  For example, without a Certificate of Elevation, owners who built structures that are located in flood zones X and X shaded, as show on the flood maps, may actually be lower than the 100 year flood hazard area.

Building permit applicants in Flood Zones A & AE receive a significant reduction in their flood insurance rates by elevating their structure to meet the one (1) foot freeboard requirement.  Building permit applicants in Flood Zones X and X shaded also receive a reduction in their flood insurance rate by elevating their structures to meet the one (1) foot freeboard requirement since these elevated structures qualify for a preferred risk policy.

Fill Restriction Requirement

In accordance with Section 46:114 of our flood plain regulations there is a conditional restriction on the placement of fill in the flood plain area.   While termed fill restriction, this local ordinance restricts the loss of the existing flood storage volume (holding capacity) that exists between natural ground and the flood elevation.

In addition to the restrictions noted above, our building regulations stipulate that no fill may be placed in a manner which will cause a burden or hardship on adjoining properties.

Any illegal land filling, dumping or excavation of land or drainage ways should be reported to the Department of Inspections at 225-654-6873.

How does the community benefit from the ordinance?

The freeboard requirements entitle our community to receive additional credit in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Community Rating System (CRS) Program.  This program which is similar to the one used for fire rating classifications has been established to classify FEMA participating communities for determining flood insurance rates.  Communities are rated from Class 1 to Class 10.  The lower the classification, the lower the flood insurance rates for that community.  The City of Zachary has a rating classification of a 8, which results in a 10% discount in flood insurance rates.

Substantially Damaged/Improvement Requirements

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requires all structures that are determined to be substantially damaged or substantially improved, to meet the same construction requirements as a new building.  A structure is considered substantially damaged or substantially improved if the cost necessary to fully repair the structure to its before damaged condition is equal to or greater than 50% of the structures market value before damages.

In the case of an addition, only the addition must be protected, unless it is considered to be substantial improvement/damage to the original building, then the entire building must be protected. A building can be substantially damaged by any cause of loss, not just flooding hazards other than flooding such as fire or tornadoes.

When elevating or flood proofing new or existing structures is required or desired, a design professional, architect, structural engineer, or licensed contractor should be consulted for suggestions as to methods that one may take.  These professionals should be knowledgeable or have had experience in one or more methods of flood proofing and or retrofitting a structure as described in the FEMA design manuals.  FEMA provides manuals titled “Manufactured Home Installation in Flood Hazard Areas”, “Retrofitting Flood Prone Residential Structures”, and “Flood Proofing Non-Prone Residential Structures”, which is informative for those who wish to remain in the special flood hazard areas and would like to make improvements.  There are also other FEMA publications available through the  City of Zachary Inspections Office and your local parish library which will aid the owner or builder in protecting and flood proofing the structure from future hazard situations.

Property Protection

Flood proofing a house means altering it so flood waters will not cause damage.  Measures to protect a property from flood damage include elevating, flood proofing, retrofitting, grading a yard, and correcting local drainage problems.

The City of Zachary Inspections Office provides flood protection assistance service including a list of contractors and consultants knowledgeable or experienced in retrofitting techniques and construction as well as advice and information on how to select a qualified contractor and what resources people have if they are dissatisfied with a contractor’s performance.

Drainage System Maintenance

Do not dump or throw anything into the ditches or streams.  Dumping in our ditches and streams is a violation of city ordinances.  Even grass clippings and branches can accumulate and plug channels.  A plugged channel cannot carry water and such restrictions could cause flooding.  Every piece of trash contributes to flooding.  The city has a stream maintenance program that can help remove major blockages such as downed trees.

Illegal dumping of debris in a ditch or canal should be reported to the Department of Public Works, the Zachary Police Department or E.B.R. Sheriff’s Office.

Flood Safety

If your property is known to flood or is located in a flood hazard area, and flood warnings are issued, you should take all necessary steps to protect your property by flood proofing structures by sandbagging, turning off all electrical circuits and gas line that serve receptacles or electrical appliances that may come in contact with the flood waters; elevate furnishings, carpet, appliances and equipment such as washing machines, clothes dryers, hot water heaters, air conditioning compressor units or any other electrical appliance.  Do not walk or drive through flood water and plan an evacuation route to higher ground.  If sand and sand bags are needed, you may call the E.B.R. Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness or the City of Zachary Public Works for the nearest available location for obtaining these materials.  Additionally they can provide information on road closures and evacuation routes.