Flood Damage Could Impact More Than 300,000 Homes

Analysis by CoreLogic shows that 339,480 homes in Louisiana face the danger of flood damage due to Tropical Storm Barry. 

The report states that 32.6% of homes in the state are located within a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), and homeowners are required to purchase flood insurance in these designated areas when their mortgages are back by the federal government. 

Weather.com is reported last week that mandatory evacuations were ordered for parts of Louisiana as Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency on Wednesday due to the incoming Hurricane Barry.

The storm had already caused damage to sections of coastal Louisiana before landfall Saturday morning. 

Edwards said, “the entire coast of Louisiana is at play in this storm,” and added that the National Guard was on standby throughout the state. 

The storm reached land as a Category 1 hurricane, but quickly weakened to a tropical storm, according to a report from CNN. 

"The storm surge in the populated areas like New Orleans didn't rise to the level to cause major problems," CNN meteorologist Dave Hennen said. "That being said, there was surge to 7 feet in a few areas, which was actually higher than forecast."

CoreLogic’s report states that properties in New Orleans have the highest risk of “extreme” flooding, with 6,964 properties in danger. Baton Rouge had the second-most properties at extreme risk at 487.

Barry was the first of the 14 storms predicted by the Colorado State University in its latest projections for the 2019 hurricane season that began on June 1. In its forecast, the University included sub-tropical storm Andrea that had formed off the Atlantic coast prior to the start of the season. It had pegged the probability of at least one major hurricane to make landfall along the continental U.S. coastline at 54%, slightly higher than the historical average of 52%. 

Events, such as the situation unfolding in Louisiana, are exactly why the Five Star Institute is hosting its 2019 Five Star Disaster Preparedness Symposium, on July 31, in New Orleans. 

The symposium will feature subject-matter experts leading critical conversations on situations just like this one, addressing appropriate response, reaction, and assistance strategies. Together, the industry is working to lend the proper support for this and all future natural disasters.