Are New Flood Maps Accurate?

By Steve Alexander Reporter

Hurricane Katrina pushed a wall of water through homes and businesses in Bayou La Batre and Coden.
New flood maps are being released to show which areas in Mobile County are vulnerable to high water. Are New Flood Maps Accurate?

Published: Mon, August 27, 2007 - 10:43 pm Last Updated: Tue, August 28, 2007 - 10:25 am

Steve Alexander

More concerns about federal money and recovery efforts from Hurricane Katrina in south Mobile County.

The new flood maps are out so people can see how high to rebuild their homes.

But some Mobile County leaders are concerned they may not be accurate.

Mobile County Environmental Services Director Bill Melton says the maps for south Mobile county aren't as detailed as the new maps for made for Mississippi. They blame not enough federal money allocated to Alabama.

Melton said, "If you go and look at the maps in Mississippi, you'll notice that they're from five to seven feet higher in elevation than they are in Mobile County."

That worries Fred Marceaux, who lives in south Mobile County and had trouble even finding his home on the new map.

Marceaux said, "They've taken pictures which are new pictures, but they are old maps that they took them off. If I go and build my house and I come later on and find out that I should have built it another four to five feet off the ground, then I need to know that."

Melton says more federal money is needed to come up with better maps.

In a related story, about 15 people from south Mobile County are heading to New Orleans Tuesday morning in hopes of meeting with President Bush and other federal officials.

They hope to get more federal money to help Katrina victims rebuild or improve existing homes.

Nancy McCall of Coden is one of the people going to New Orleans.

She's trying to get federal money to replace her septic system.

McCall said she knows of many people who need help.

She said, "I would like to see those funds released and see people getting help, so that others can see and it gives them hope. You need hope right now. People are giving up."

The president will be holding a town hall meeting at Dillard University in New Orleans.

Panels will focus on such issues as housing, economic development and health.