(SLIDELL)---Slidell city officials say that the new FEMA flood maps that will help determine the cost of flood insurance are now ready for review.

They add that more than 1,500 addresses in 49 residential and commercial subdivisions in Slidell may end up in federally-designated flood zones, which could lead to them paying higher flood insurance rates.

Slidell officials say that the largest areas to be impacted by the maps are along and just east of Airport Road, northwest of the city's population center; along Slidell's northern border at Brown's Switch Road; I-12 between U. S. 11 and I-10; some areas of east and west Slidell; and areas of southeast Slidell.

City officials add that they, along with FEMA officials, recommend that property owners who are likely to be affected by the flood map changes should buy their flood insurance now to save money.

Slidell city leaders add that hard copies of the preliminary digital flood maps and the insurance study for the city are available in the departments of Engineering, Planning, and Building Safety/Permits.

They also say that the process will take up to a year before the maps are final. The city will then have to adopt them to continue in the National Flood Insurance Program.

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