Jefferson Parish, LA Flood Zone Map
Last updated: August 2026
Jefferson Parish spans from the Mississippi River levees to the Gulf Coast marshes, encompassing both dense suburban communities and eroding wetlands. The parish holds a CRS Class 3 rating and faces storm surge from the Gulf, Mississippi River flooding, and heavy rainfall on terrain that sits largely at or below sea level.
Jefferson Parish has recorded 135,658 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
NFIP Flood Insurance Claims: Jefferson Parish
Properties in Jefferson Parish have filed 135,658 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
135,658 claims over 45+ years across 102,195 current policies
Avg. Claim Payout
$25,994
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 Jefferson Parish.
Not sure whether you're required to carry it? See do I need flood insurance?, or compare NFIP vs. private flood insurance.
Repetitive Loss Properties: Jefferson Parish
Jefferson Parish has 9,168 properties with multiple flood insurance losses, including 1,034 severe repetitive loss properties. 1,280 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
9,168
2+ claims within 10 years
Severe Repetitive Loss
1,034
4+ claims or 2 exceeding value
Mitigated
1,280
Received FEMA mitigation
By Flood Zone
Zone data available for 9,096 of 9,168 properties.
Source: OpenFEMA NFIP Multiple Loss Properties. Data sourced August 2026.
Flood Insurance Discount: Jefferson Parish
Jefferson Parish has no CRS rating of its own, but it sits in Jefferson Parish, which 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 3
SFHA Premium Discount
35% off
CRS classes range from 1 (best) to 10 (no discount). Jefferson Parish's Class 3 rating means NFIP policyholders in the SFHA can receive up to a 35% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 10% discount.
Source: FEMA Community Rating System, April 2026. Discounts apply to NFIP policies only.
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 Jefferson Parish.
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries API. 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 4,357 properties in Jefferson Parish, investing $414.5M 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. FEMA records a total payment per grant rather than per property, so the dollar figure is an estimate that splits each grant across the properties it covers; the property count is exact.
Levee Protection: Jefferson Parish
The USACE National Levee Database lists 6 levee systems protecting parts of Jefferson Parish. A system's FEMA accreditation status determines how its protected area is mapped: accredited levees are typically mapped as Zone X, while non-accredited or provisionally accredited systems generally leave their protected area in the Special Flood Hazard Area (often Zone AR or A99) until certification is complete.
Donner Canal West Bank Sub System
Non-AccreditedProtects against: Donner Canal - Sponsor: Unknown Levee Owner - 5.18 sq mi protected
Lafitte Area Levee 10
Non-AccreditedProtects against: Gulf of America - Sponsor: West Jefferson Levee District - 0.54 sq mi protected
Lafitte Area System
Non-AccreditedProtects against: Gulf of America - Sponsor: West Jefferson Levee District - 0.42 sq mi protected
Lake Pontchartrain Segment
AccreditedSponsor: East Jefferson Levee District - 0.01 sq mi protected
New Orleans West Bank
AccreditedProtects against: Gulf of America, Gulf of America, Mississippi River, Mississippi River - Sponsor: Lafourche Basin Levee District, Plaquemines Levee District, Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority - West, St. Charles Parish - 122.88 sq mi protected
New Orleans East Bank
AccreditedProtects against: Gulf of America, Gulf of America, Mississippi River, Mississippi River - Sponsor: Pontchartrain Levee District, Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority - East, USACE - New Orleans District - 244.68 sq mi protected
Source: USACE National Levee Database. Data sourced August 2026. Learn how levees affect flood zone mapping.
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.
What Your Flood Zone Means in Jefferson Parish
Jefferson Parish 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 Jefferson Parish are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone AO, 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 Jefferson Parish's VE zones face additional wave action risk beyond still-water flooding, which typically results in higher insurance premiums and stricter building requirements. Jefferson Parish has Zone AO areas subject to sheet-flow flooding, where shallow water spreads across broad, flat terrain rather than channeling through waterways.
Combined coastal and inland flood exposure in Jefferson Parish 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 Jefferson Parish address.
Jefferson Parish, LA Flood Zone FAQ
What flood zones are in Jefferson Parish, LA?
The most common FEMA flood zones in Jefferson Parish are Zone AE, Zone VE, Zone AO, 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 Jefferson Parish?
If your Jefferson Parish 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 a quarter of all NFIP flood claims come from properties outside high-risk zones.
How do I check my flood zone in Jefferson Parish?
Enter your Jefferson Parish 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 Jefferson Parish offer flood insurance discounts?
Jefferson Parish itself has no CRS rating, but it sits in Jefferson Parish, which participates in FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) with a Class 3 rating. Residents in the Special Flood Hazard Area qualify for up to a 35% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums. Properties outside the SFHA may receive a 10% discount.
Has Jefferson Parish experienced major flooding events?
Jefferson Parish, where Jefferson Parish 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 Jefferson Parish?
Jefferson Parish has recorded 135,658 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 Jefferson Parish.
How many flood insurance policies are there in Jefferson Parish?
Jefferson Parish had 102,195 NFIP flood insurance policies written or renewed over the trailing 13 months, with an average annual premium of $1,032. The most policies are in Zone AE (55,568 policies). These are county-level counts of policies written or renewed in the trailing 13 months, not a point-in-time count of policies in force - a policy renewed inside that window is counted twice.
How many Jefferson Parish properties have flooded repeatedly?
Jefferson Parish has 9,168 properties with multiple flood losses on record, including 1,034 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.
Is Jefferson Parish protected by a levee?
Yes. The USACE National Levee Database lists 6 levee systems protecting parts of Jefferson Parish. Some of these are FEMA-accredited and some are not - accreditation status varies by system, and only the accredited ones map their protected area as Zone X. Levee protection is system-specific, not city-wide - check the address search above for the zone at a specific property.
Can my Jefferson Parish 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 Jefferson Parish?
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 Jefferson Parish'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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See the Flood Map for Any Jefferson Parish, LA Address
Enter a Jefferson Parish, LA address to view its FEMA flood map, zone designation, SFHA status, and insurance requirements.
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.