Safeguard has been working to establish open lines of communication and building a relationship with the city of Slidell LA.

Please see the following communication we had with the City of Slidell LA

From: Cindy Deets
Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 9:38 AM
To: Hayley Bush
Subject: RE: Information on home demolitions in Slidell

Hi Hayley,

I enjoyed meeting you and Jordan as well.  You definitely have your hands full with this task!  LOL 

Here is the rundown on substantially damaged houses -

If the percentage of structural damage is 50.01% or higher, the resident will be required to elevate to base flood elevation (which in most areas inside city limits is 9 feet).  As of today, there is not a Hazard Mitigation Program in place yet for this event.  We were hoping it would be this month, but we haven't heard anything yet.  This program will assist the resident with elevation or buyout.  If they elect to elevate, FEMA would pay a certain percentage and the resident would be required to pay the remaining percentage.  To give you an example, for Tropical Storm Lilli and Hurricane Isidore - there was a 75/25% split with the resident paying the 25%.  We don't know what the split will be for Katrina until the program is in place.

If the resident elects to rebuild without elevating, they will never be able to sell their house because it won't meet code and they will not be eligible for flood insurance. 

If the resident elects the buyout option, FEMA would buyout the resident for a certain percentage of the appraised value (pre-storm) of the home (excluding property).  FEMA would then demolish the house and eventually turn the property over to the City for maintaining.  Nothing would ever be able to be built there again. 

If the substantial damage percentage is 50% or less, then the resident will not be required to elevate, will be eligible for flood insurance and can begin the permitting process to rebuild. 

The City is not demolishing homes.  The only ones that would be demolished by the City are those that have been abandoned. 

It would be best if you sent me the list of addresses and then I can look them up and let you know the percentage of structural damage for each one.  You can do this via email and I would respond with a different colored font.

Cindy Deets, Administrative Assistant
C.A.O.'s Office, City of Slidell