Flood Protection Information

FEMA Floodplain Mapping : The FEMA Flood Map Service Center (MSC) is the official public source for flood hazard information produced in support of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Use the MSC to find your official flood map, access a range of other flood hazard products, and take advantage of tools for better understanding flood risk.FEMA flood maps are continually updated through a variety of processes. Effective information that you download or print from this site may change or become superseded by new maps over time. For additional information, please see the Flood Hazard Mapping Updates Overview Fact Sheet.

FEMA regulations apply to all man-made activities in flood zones, from construction of buildings, pools, and fences to installation of driveways and patios. A large portion of development in Duck is impacted by these FEMA rules. A permit is required for most development activities in flood zones to ensure compliance and to allow the Town of Duck continued participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP makes limited federally backed flood insurance available for all buildings, whether they are in a floodplain or not.

2016 Preliminary Flood Maps

The N.C. Floodplain Mapping Program and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released preliminary coastal floodplain maps for Dare County on June 30, 2016. Property owners are invited to see how their property classification may change by viewing the preliminary flood maps online at the Flood Risk Information System (FRIS) website. FEMA issued its letter of final map determination on December 19, 2019.  This means the new maps will become effective on June 19, 2020.

In recognition of these changes and the challenges that the new maps present, the Town of Duck and the other municipalities in Dare County are considering the adoption of development standards that will maintain a minimum building elevation standard.  These proposed standards will be reviewed and considered by the Town of Duck Planning Board and Town Council in the coming months.

If you have questions about the maps and their impact on your property, please contact Joe Heard or Sandy Cross with the Community Development Department (252-255-1234) for assistance.

Owners of property affected by flood map revisions should be aware of the NFIP’s “Grandfather Rules” (PDF here) under which flood insurance premiums for many properties can be determined based on the flood map in effect when a home was built, even though a new map places it in a higher risk flood zone. Owners should ask their insurance agents to look for the lowest cost option when rating their property since the adoption of the new flood maps.

• For your reference, the Town has prepared a fact sheet regarding the flood map adoption process here.
• North Carolina Floodplain Mapping Program (FRIS): Preliminary and effective maps can both be viewed. After mapping your address you may choose “Effective” or “Preliminary” from the dropdown box on the top right.
• The following video explains how to properly navigate the FRIS system and use the various functions available within the system.

The Town of Duck maintains a Flood Map Information Service as part of its participation in the National Flood Insurance Program.  The Town maintains copies of current and previous Flood Insurance Rate Maps for areas within the Town’s incorporated limits and can determine if a structure is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area as well as the applicable flood zone and base flood elevation that applies to the property.  The Town can provide copies of all FEMA Elevation Certificates for structures constructed since the Town’s incorporation in 2002.  The Town also has a partial record of FEMA Elevation Certificates maintained by Dare County for the Duck area prior to the Town’s incorporation.  Please call the Town of Duck Department of Community Development at 252-255-1234 or email Sandy Cross, the Town’s Floodplain Manager, at scross@townofduck.com if you have any questions or would like to request information as part of this service.  FEMA regulations apply to all man-made activities in flood zones, from construction of buildings, pools, and fences to installation of driveways and patios. A large portion of development in Duck is impacted by these FEMA rules. A permit is required for most development activities in flood zones to ensure compliance and to allow the Town of Duck to continue to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP makes limited federally backed flood insurance available for all buildings, whether they are in a floodplain or not.