VIDALIA — Even though it’s the last minute, local insurance agents are advising residents still buy flood insurance.

Normally, flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period before activation, but Shelter Insurance of Vidalia agent John Patrick said he would still recommend buying flood insurance.

“I’m not about to advise anyone that it’s too late,” Patrick said. “The levees may hold, and the water may stick around for a while, so it’s still a good idea to get the flood insurance.”

Farm Bureau Insurance of Ferriday agent Coye Pace said it’s his opinion that everyone will ultimately be taken care of in the event of major flooding.

“My personal opinion is, if you have it, you’ll be taken care of,” Pace said. “If you’ve applied for it, you’ll be taken care of, and even if you don’t have it, you’ll be taken care of. Isn’t that what happened with Katrina?”

Patrick said his phone has been ringing nonstop about flood insurance since the threat of the river level rising to at least 65 feet.

“If you don’t have it, you’re at the mercy of the federal government,” Patrick said. “You’d have to hope they come in and assist you in some way.”

Patrick also said FEMA is ultimately responsible for all forms of flood insurance, no matter what company you buy it from.

“The National Flood Insurance Program is administered by FEMA,” Patrick said. “Individual companies may sell it, but ultimately, it’s determined by FEMA.

“They set the prices. If you get a quote from me, and get a quote from someone else, unless one of us made a mistake, it should be exactly the same number.”

Pace said he doesn’t understand why so many area residents are just now realizing the necessity of flood insurance.

“Everyone should have flood insurance year round,” Pace said. “It should be a part of your insurance profile. It’s just like playing the stock market — you can never outguess it.

“I probably had 500 people come to me in January and February to renew, and 200 decided not to pay for (flood insurance).”

With the threat of flooding very real, Patrick said he just hopes everyone has some kind of plan.

“This is dangerous,” Patrick said. “There’s no question this could be the catastrophic event in our area, in our lifetime.

“You need to make sure you have a plan. Take a picture of everything you own, and then store those pictures. It’s still a good idea to get flood insurance.”