Flood risk, local cost data, climate factors, and insurance context for your ZIP code.
Flood Risk
Very High
Cost Range
$3,500–$20,000
Avg Response
36 min
NFIP
State participates
Metairie is a New Orleans suburb in Jefferson Parish sitting below sea level (averaging -2 to -4 ft MSL). Like New Orleans, Metairie depends entirely on the Army Corps of Engineers levee system and pumping stations for flood protection. Hurricane Katrina (2005) inundated parts of Metairie with 4–8 ft of water. The upgraded HSDRRS levee system provides protection against a 100-year storm event but is not absolute. Jefferson Parish's pumping system is among the most powerful in the world but failed briefly in August 2017 during a severe local rain event causing significant street flooding. Any prolonged power outage compromises flood protection.
Flood-prone areas: North Metairie near Lake Pontchartrain has highest flooding risk in surge events. Old Metairie and Bucktown are established neighborhoods. Elmwood and west Metairie near Kenner have slightly higher elevation.
Extraction & drying cost per square foot by IICRC water category
| Water Category | $/sq ft |
|---|---|
| Category 1 — Clean Burst supply line, clean appliance overflow | $5.95–$15.67 |
| Category 2 — Gray Dishwasher, washing machine, toilet bowl (no feces) | $15.67–$18.97 |
| Category 3 — Black Sewage backup, floodwater, toilet overflow with feces | $22.28–$28.6 |
Estimates exclude reconstruction (drywall, flooring replacement). National benchmarks: Cat 1 $3.75–$4.25, Cat 2 $4.10–$6.50, Cat 3 $7–$7.50/sq ft — adjusted for Metairie market (7–26/sq ft range).
