Floodplain Information and Links

PRELIMINARY FLOOD MAPS RELEASED FOR DARE COUNTY INCLUDING THE TOWN OF DUCK

The N.C. Floodplain Mapping Program and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have recently released preliminary coastal floodplain maps for Dare County. Property owners are invited to see how their property is classified by viewing the preliminary maps online at the Flood Risk Information System (FRIS) website (http://fris.nc.gov/fris/). If you have difficulty using the FRIS website, then you are welcome to contact Joe Heard or Sandy Cross with the Community Development Department (252-255-1234) for assistance.

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

The FEMA provides a 90-day appeal period during which Dare County property owners can submit comments concerning the floodplain maps or an appeal if they believe the flood hazard determinations are scientifically or technically incorrect.   Data submitted in support of an appeal must be certified by a N.C. licensed surveyor or engineer.  It is anticipated that the comment and appeal period will begin sometime in the fall of 2016.  A detailed fact sheet describing the comment and appeal processes can be found below, as well as the comment and appeal application forms.

Appeals & Comments Fact Sheet

Comments Petition

Appeal Petition

It is anticipated by N.C. Flood Mapping officials that the total flood map review and adoption process will take between 18 to 24 months.  The following steps are part of the process:

  1. The preliminary flood maps for Dare County were released to the public on June 30, 2016.
  2. Once legal notice has been posted in a local newspaper, interested parties have a 90-day period to provide comments or appeal a flood zone designation on the preliminary maps. It is anticipated that the comment/appeal period will begin sometime this fall.
  3. FEMA and the N.C. Flood Mapping Program will then evaluate all comments and appeals.
  4. The final flood maps are provided to local communities.
  5. Local communities are 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.

A list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to provide additional information on topics concerning the new preliminary flood maps will be available on this site within a few days.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through the North Carolina Floodplain Mapping Program, released new flood insurance rate maps for Dare County, including the Town of Duck, on September 20, 2006. The new maps have affected many property owners in terms of building new homes or additions in flood zones and may affect flood insurance rates.

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 floodplain development permit is required for all 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” (see Quick Reference link) 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 detailed brochure covering the following flood-related topics of interest:

  1. A description of the local flood hazard and common sources of flooding in Duck
  2. Floodplain regulations and insurance requirements
  3. Property protection measures to reduce the risk of flood
  4. Permitting requirements for development in a floodplain
  5. Substantial Improvement requirements (when grandfathering may no longer apply)
  6. Flood safety tips and storm preparation procedures

Newsletter September 2014

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