Flood Mitigation

Mayor Belinda Constant Discusses Flood Mitigation Progress in Gretna

Flooding and its impact are ongoing concerns for the citizens of Gretna. To address this problem, the City administration authorized a flood mitigation planning effort. Over a period of months, a Mitigation Planning Committee met to review what could be done to reduce the safety hazards, health hazards and property damage caused by flooding and related drainage problems. The Committee produced a Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan to guide the City’s hazard mitigation efforts. The Committee reviewed a variety of mitigation measures, organized under five general strategies:

• Preventive – e.g., zoning, building codes and other developmental regulations
• Property protection – e.g., relocation out of harm’s way, retrofitting buildings, insurance
• Emergency services – e.g., warning, sandbagging, evacuation
• Flood control – e.g., levees, stormwater management, drainage improvements
• Public information – e.g., outreach projects, technical assistance to property owners

The City of Gretna currently falls under the Jefferson Parish Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (2015). All residents are encouraged to use the Jefferson Parish Community Alert System (JPAlert). Residents can sign up at this link.

Flood Preparation, Mitigation and Insurance Library

Flooding and Flood Insurance Information

• Get Flood Insurance
• Know Your Flood Risk
• Protect Gretna’s Natural Floodplain Functions
• Endangered Species
• Staying Safe
• Gretna Repetitive Loss Area Analysis Report, August 2018
• Flooding Fact Sheet
• National Flood Insurance Program
• Help After a Disaster
• How To File A Flood Claim
• After the Flood: The First Steps
• Small Businesses Administration Disaster Loans
• Progressive Jefferson Mailer – 2023 Property Protection Edition
• Program for Public Information

Flood Insurance Studies:

• 2018 FIS (current)
• 1995 FIS
• 1985 FIS
• 1971 FIS

Flood Map Panels:

• 2018 FIRM MAP (current)
• 1995 FIRM MAP
• 1985 FIRM MAP
• 1975 FIRM MAP
• 1970 FLOOD HAZARD MAP (historic)

Building Protection Information

• Build Responsibly in a Floodplain
• Protect Your Home or Business
• Elevating Your Home
• Repairing Your Flooded Home
• Homeowner’s Guide to Retrofitting
• Engineering Principles and Practices of Retrofitting Floodprone Residential Structures (2012) – offsite link
• Protecting Manufactured Homes from Floods and Other Hazards – Part 1
• Protecting Manufactured Homes from Floods and Other Hazards – Part 2

Grant Funds

Grant funds may be available to assist with permanent flood proofing measures. Call the Jefferson Parish Floodplain Management and Hazard Mitigation Department at (504) 736.6540 to learn if you are eligible for any funding sources.

Other Resources

• Carrollton River Gauge

Elevation Certificates

The department keeps copies of elevation certificates on file for public reference. Click here to access elevation certificates currently on file.

Wind and Hurricane Damage

Hurricanes and tropical storms are an ongoing threat to coastal Louisiana. Hurricane force winds can destroy buildings and mobile homes. Debris, such as signs, roofing material, siding, and small items left outside become flying missiles during hurricanes. Click here for tips to prepare your home for hurricane season.

The website 64Parishes.org provides an interesting history of hurricanes in Louisiana, from the 1500’s to modern storms.

Contact Information

For questions regarding flood mitigation, please contact Danika Gorrondona, the City’s Floodplain Manager at 504.363.1563.