Louisiana Levee Rating Drop Would Trigger Flood Insurance Requirement

Northeast Louisiana officials are worried that federal authorities may “de-certify” the Ouachita River levee system. That could mean that virtually all Monroe property owners would be required to buy federal flood insurance.

Tensas Basin Levee District officials discussed the issue this week in Washington with Sens. Mary Landrieu and David Vitter and Rep. Rodney Alexander.

Army Corps of Engineers officials have said they are likely to issue an unacceptable rating for the levee system following an October inspection. That would lead to de-certification of the system by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Corps officials have noted numerous bank cave-ins along the Ouachita, but say they don’t have the authority or money to fix the problems.