Floodplain Information and Links

PRELIMINARY FLOOD MAPS ARE AVAILABLE FOR DARE COUNTY INCLUDING THE TOWN OF DUCK

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. If you have questions about the preliminary maps and their impact on your property, please contact Joe Heard or Sandy Cross with the Community Development Department (252-255-1234) for assistance. Outer Banks planners have partnered in creating a resource to help property owners understand flooding risks throughout Dare County. For more information, visit OBXFloodMaps.com or download the brochure.

The following video explains how to properly navigate the FRIS system and use the various functions available within the system.

The following steps are part of the process for adoption of the new flood maps:

  1. The preliminary flood maps for Dare County were released to the public on June 30, 2016.
  2. Public comments and appeals concerning the preliminary flood maps were accepted through November 13, 2017.
  3. FEMA and the N.C. Flood Mapping Program are currently evaluating all comments and appeals.
  4. The final flood maps will be provided to local communities when the evaluation is complete.
  5. Local communities will then be given six (6) months to bring themselves into compliance by adopting the new flood maps and updating flood damage prevention ordinances.

Until the final flood maps have been reviewed and adopted, all properties in Dare County are subject to the current flood zone standards for development and insurance purposes.   The current maps were made effective on September 20, 2006. See our Community Development page for more information.

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.

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.

Paper copies of the complete set of official maps for Duck are also available in the Town offices.

For your reference, the Town has prepared a fact sheet regarding the flood map adoption process here.

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