FEMA Flood Maps for Lafayette Parish

Learn how FEMA flood maps work, how to determine your flood zone, and what it means for your insurance.

Understanding FEMA Flood Maps

FEMA flood maps help identify a property's estimated flood risk by assigning it to a specific flood zone. These maps are used by insurance companies, mortgage lenders, and homeowners.

Some of the most common flood zones include:

• Zone X – Generally considered a low- to moderate-risk flood area.
• Zone AE – A high-risk flood zone where flood insurance may be required by your mortgage lender.
• Zone VE – A high-risk coastal flood zone with additional risks from storm surge and wave action.

Your flood zone may affect whether flood insurance is required, your premium, building requirements, and overall flood risk.

A lower-risk flood zone does not mean your property cannot flood. Many flood insurance claims occur outside high-risk flood zones.