September 10, 2009

Vitter Meets with Fugate on Cameron Flood Map Issue

(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Sen. David Vitter met with FEMA Administrator Fugate and Cameron Parish officials yesterday to continue toward closure on the Cameron flood map issue.

“It is well known that I raised the issue of fixing the Cameron flood maps with Mr. Fugate during his confirmation, and I believe he has continued to uphold his commitments to help bring closure to the issue. Of course, as with all things involving FEMA, the process is still bogged down by talks and bureaucratic creep. I do look forward to our next meeting in the coming weeks to hopefully be one step closer to closure so folks can move forward with their lives,” said Vitter.

Vitter believes that three important points were raised in yesterday’s meeting:

- FEMA’s legal department will be making a decision soon as to whether they will put aside the preliminary Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps in favor of existing maps, which would allow for the rebuilding of the Cameron community.
- All parties discussed the idea of exploring the possibility of incorporating new locations to allow the rebuilding of several projects currently on hold in Cameron Parish.
- FEMA will meet with Cameron’s technical committee within the next two weeks to determine whether FEMA's current DFIRMs are faulty.

“As anyone in Cameron will tell you, a speedy resolution on these flawed DFIRM maps will allow the people of Cameron Parish to finally start rebuilding their lives and communities,” added Vitter.