Many Central homes dropped from 'high risk' zones, allowed to drop insurance weeks before flood

Just six weeks ago, people in Central celebrated a flood insurance victory that was four years in the making.

About 2,000 homes surrounding the Beaver Bayou area received letters telling residents their homes and properties were no longer classified as being in a high-risk flood zone, requiring expensive flood insurance policies that were mandatory if they had mortgages. Another 1,000 now were considered to be at lower risk of flooding within that flood hazard category -- meaning their insurance rates may decrease.

Three weeks later, much of that same area was under several feet of water.

Because the change to the flood zones was approved so recently, it's unclear how many people immediately adjusted their policies. Officials say they believe the number likely is low, but they admit they'd heard some accounts of people who dropped policies right before they were devastated by rising waters.

Read more: http://www.theadvocate.com/louisiana_flood_2016/article_c6278d8e-6576-11e6-a301-173b12fac153.html