FEMA offers concession to longtime homeowners
Shortly after announcing dramatic new changes in store for local floodmaps, FEMA offered a concession that may allow some slab-on-grade homeowners to rebuild in place.
Gil Jamieson, FEMA Gulf Coast recovery coordinator, said if a homeowner can convince local planning officials to lower a damage estimate to below 50 percent, FEMA will allow the home to rebuilt without elevating it and grandfather in current flood insurance rates.
FEMA will consider that the homeowner, "acted with the best available data," and will not pressure local governments to hold the line against reducing damage estimates below 50 percent.
However, when that house is sold in the future, it must be elevated, or it will be subject to large increases in flood insurance premiums, depending just how far below the new elevations it is.
The concession is thought to be aimed at older homeowners who have enough money to repair in place, but not enough money to elevate a slab home. It will allow them to get back in their homes more quickly and live out their lives in their old neighborhoods.
However, the process will put immense pressure on local zoning officials. While many homes had 70 percent or more damage, tens of thousands where close enough to 50 percent damaged to make a slew of appeals likely.
More thorough analysis here: FEMA to NOLA: Drop Dead
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