Jean Lafitte, LA Flood Zone Lookup
Last updated: August 2026
Jean Lafitte in Jefferson Parish faces extreme flood risk from Bayou Barataria and surrounding wetlands. The low-lying community is highly vulnerable to hurricane storm surge and sea level rise.
Jefferson Parish has recorded 135,651 NFIP flood insurance claims since 1978, totaling $3.5B in payouts. Explore the full NFIP claims data by state and county to see how this area compares nationally.
FEMA Region
Region 6
NFIP Policies
102,195
Jefferson Parish
Avg. Premium
$1,032/yr
Jefferson Parish
FEMA Flood Risk Profile: Jefferson Parish
Based on FEMA's National Risk Index, which evaluates flood risk at the county level using historical loss data, exposure, and vulnerability.
Inland Flood Risk
Relatively HighEst. annual loss: $75.8M
Coastal Flood Risk
Very HighEst. annual loss: $10.8M
Hurricane Risk
Very HighEst. annual loss: $250.7M
Source: FEMA National Risk Index, county-level assessment. Individual property risk may vary.
Federal Flood Disaster History: Jefferson Parish
Jefferson Parish has been included in 39 federal flood-related disaster declarations.
...and 31 earlier declarations since 2008.
These declarations affected communities across Jefferson Parish, including Jean Lafitte.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. Data sourced August 2026.
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Jefferson Parish
Properties in Jefferson Parish have filed 135,651 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $3.5B in payouts since 1978. The average claim payout is $26K.
Highest-Claim Years
2005
65,911 claims - $2.7B
1995
16,109 claims - $303.2M
1980
7,806 claims - $51.3M
Claims by Flood Zone
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Claims API. Data sourced August 2026. See national claims data.
Flood Insurance Coverage: Jefferson Parish
Only roughly 1 in 2 households in Jefferson Parish carries NFIP flood insurance (59% of estimated households).
Penetration Rate
59%
roughly 1 in 2 households
Historical Claims Ratio
1 in 1
135,651 claims over 45+ years across 102,195 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$25,985
Per claim, county-wide since 1978
Historically, Jefferson Parish has averaged 1.3 claims for every active policy (since 1978). This compares cumulative claims against today's policy count and does not predict future claim likelihood.
Coverage data: NFIP policies as of August 2026, claims since 1978 (August 2026), population from FEMA NRI. All figures are county-wide and include Jean Lafitte.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Jean Lafitte
Jean Lafitte faces a combination of coastal and inland flood risks. Storm surge from hurricanes and tropical storms pushes seawater inland, while heavy rainfall simultaneously overwhelms rivers, bayous, and drainage infrastructure. This dual threat means flooding can come from multiple directions at once. The most common FEMA flood zone designations in Jean Lafitte are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. FEMA's National Risk Index estimates the county's annual expected loss from inland flooding at over $75.8M. The county is rated "Very High" for coastal flood risk by FEMA's National Risk Index. Properties in Jean Lafitte's VE zones face additional wave action risk beyond still-water flooding, which typically results in higher insurance premiums and stricter building requirements.
Combined coastal and inland flood exposure in Jean Lafitte means properties may face higher premiums than areas with only one flood source. FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0 accounts for multiple flood sources, including coastal surge distance, river proximity, and rainfall-driven flooding. If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance.
Flood maps in areas with combined coastal and inland risk are among the most complex in the FEMA system. Major storms often trigger FEMA restudies that can significantly shift zone boundaries. Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) after hurricanes may expand SFHA coverage as new storm data is incorporated. Use our free lookup tool to check the current flood zone for any Jean Lafitte address.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Jefferson Parish
Jefferson Parish has 9,150 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 1,023 severe repetitive loss properties. 1,274 properties have received FEMA mitigation funding. Severe repetitive loss is a subset of multiple loss, not a separate count. Data sourced August 2026.
Multiple Loss
9,150
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
1,023
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
1,274
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Zone data available for 9,081 of 9,150 properties.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced August 2026.
Recorded Flood Events: Jefferson Parish
NOAA has recorded 103 flood events in Jefferson Parish since 1996, causing $40.4M in damage.
Costliest Events
Events by Type
Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, 1996-2026. Data sourced August 2026.
Flood Mitigation: Jefferson Parish
FEMA has funded mitigation for 4,177 properties in Jefferson Parish, investing $432.4M in flood risk reduction. Common mitigation actions include acquisition (buying and demolishing flood-prone structures), elevation (raising buildings above flood level), and safe rooms (wind/storm shelters for tornado and hurricane protection).
By Action Type
Source: OpenFEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Data sourced August 2026.
Flood Insurance Discount: Jean Lafitte
Jean Lafitte participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program that rewards communities for flood mitigation efforts beyond minimum NFIP requirements. Residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area may qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums.
CRS Class
Class 7
SFHA Premium Discount
15% off
CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Jean Lafitte's Class 7 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 15% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, April 2026. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.
Jean Lafitte, LA Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Jean Lafitte, LA?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Jean Lafitte are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone X. Properties in these high-risk zones (SFHA) may require flood insurance with a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage.
Is flood insurance required in Jean Lafitte?
If your Jean Lafitte property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and you have a federally regulated or government-backed mortgage, federal law generally requires your lender to ensure you carry flood insurance. Properties in Zone X are not federally required to carry flood insurance, though coverage is still recommended since about 40% of all NFIP flood claims come from Zone X properties.
How do I check my flood zone in Jean Lafitte?
Enter your Jean Lafitte address in the search tool above for an instant flood zone determination. Results include your FEMA flood zone, SFHA status, base flood elevation (if available), and FIRM panel information, pulled directly from FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layer.
Does Jean Lafitte offer flood insurance discounts?
Yes. Jean Lafitte participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 7 rating, qualifying residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area for up to a 15% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 5% discount.
Has Jean Lafitte experienced major flooding events?
Jefferson Parish, where Jean Lafitte is located, has been part of 39 federal disaster declarations for flooding, hurricanes, or severe storms. The most recent was Hurricane Francine in 2024. Federal disaster declarations are issued when flooding overwhelms local resources and triggers FEMA assistance programs.
How many flood insurance claims have been filed in Jean Lafitte?
Jefferson Parish has recorded 135,651 NFIP flood insurance claims totaling $3.5B in payouts since 1978. The year with the most claims was 2005, with 65,911 claims and $2.7B in payouts. These figures cover all NFIP claims in the county, including Jean Lafitte.
How many flood insurance policies are active in Jean Lafitte?
Jefferson Parish currently has 102,195 active NFIP flood insurance policies with an average annual premium of $1,032. The most policies are in Zone AE (55,568 policies). These figures cover all active NFIP policies in the county.
How many Jean Lafitte properties have flooded repeatedly?
Jefferson Parish has 9,150 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 1,023 severe repetitive loss properties. These are properties that have experienced four or more NFIP claims of $5,000+ or two claims exceeding the building value.
Can my Jean Lafitte property be removed from a high-risk flood zone?
Yes, if your property's natural ground elevation is above the Base Flood Elevation and FEMA inadvertently mapped it in a high-risk zone, you can apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). A successful LOMA removes the property from the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally eliminating the federal mandatory flood insurance requirement. You will need an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor. If a property was raised above the BFE with fill material, the process is a LOMR-F rather than a LOMA.
What is Base Flood Elevation in Jean Lafitte?
Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the predicted height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance (100-year) flood, shown on FEMA maps as an elevation number in feet above sea level. In Jean Lafitte's Zone AE and Zone VE areas, BFE lines appear on the FIRM as wavy contours labeled with elevation values. Properties with a lowest floor at or above the BFE typically qualify for significantly lower NFIP flood insurance premiums.
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Disclaimer: Flood risk data on this page is sourced from FEMA datasets including the National Risk Index, NFIP claims and policy records, disaster declarations, and the Community Rating System. These datasets were last extracted on August 2026 and may not reflect the most recent changes. Always verify current flood zone status through FEMA or a licensed determination provider before making property, insurance, or lending decisions.