Flood Information

The need for flood insurance in any community is determined by the location of the property. Although insurance is not required in all cases, it is suggested.

The National Flood Insurance Act, as amended in 1973, requires that flood insurance be purchased “by property owners who are being assisted by Federal programs or by Federally supervised, regulated or insured agencies or institutions in the acquisition or improvement of land or facilities located or to be located in identified areas as having special flood hazards.”

Homeowner Insurance policies exclude flood damage.

If your property is located in Flood Zone “A” or Flood Zone “V” on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), your property is subject to regulations. Before starting development on any lot, tract or parcel, the owner or developer must first contact the Department of Planning to determine what permits will be required. Permits are required for, but not limited to, the following: mining, new construction, additions, alterations, and changes in use.

The Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) are the result of the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) which investigated the existence and severity of flood hazards in Currituck County. The maps contain official delineation of flood insurance zones and base flood elevation lines.

Base flood elevation lines show the location of the expected whole-foot water surface elevation within the 100-year flood zone. Currituck County is divided into zones, each of which has a specific flood potential as determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The Atlantic Ocean, Albemarle Sound, and Currituck Sound are the primary sources of flooding in Currituck County.

To learn if your property is located in a Flood Zone, or to obtain information on the following topics, call the Planning and Zoning Division at Mainland 252-232-6026 or Outer Banks 252-453-8555, ext. 233.
Additional information on flood protection can also be found at the Currituck County Library in Barco and Corolla. Most of FEMA'S books are available on protection and construction in flood prone areas for your convenience.

Although the Atlantic Ocean and the Currituck Sound draw people to build in Currituck County, they also subject the property to flood hazards.

High tides and storm surge can cause dune overwash and inundate lower elevations. Hurricanes and northeasters have caused damage in Currituck County in the past and will again in the future.

The most notable storm was the “Ash Wednesday Storm”.

Floods are a fact of life in North Carolina. Flooding in Currituck County is normally associated with hurricanes and northeasters. Residents should be concerned about floods whether they live on the Outer Banks or the mainland!

The following radio and television stations broadcast situation reports, media advisories, and citizen information from the Currituck County Emergency Operations Center (EOC):

Radio Stations	Television Stations
WOBR-AM 95 WRSF-FM 106 WCMS-FM 100.5 WFOG-FM 92.5 WKJX-FM 96 WGAI-AM 56 WCXL-FM 104.1	WAVY- TV (10) WYAH-TV (27) WVEC-TV (13) WTKR-TV (3) WITN-TV (7) WSKY-TV (4)

NOAA Weather Service Radio Frequency IN Cape Hatteras is 162.475 MHz, IN driver, Virginia, IT IS 162.550 MHz

Currituck County has an override system that enables Emergency Management to give voice advisories and warnings over normal programming on all cable stations.

Early flood and hurricane warnings provide time for people in threatened areas to lessen their damages and evacuate if necessary. Before a storm threatens, take steps to protect your property and your life.

• The first step is to find out the probability of flooding in your area. The Division of Planning and Zoning has copies of Flood Insurance Rate Maps that identify properties subject to 100 year storm frequency.
• Make a complete inventory of your property. Take pictures and describe inventory. Store these and other documents in a waterproof container or safe deposit box. This will help you in obtaining an insurance settlement.
• Check your insurance policy and make sure it is up to date and you have a policy that fits your needs.
• Know the warning signals and what to do in the event a warning is given. Listen to the local radio and television stations listed in this brochure for weather advisories and emergency instructions.
• Keep a list of emergency phone numbers in a prominent location next to the telephone.
• Learn first aid.
• Learn the evacuation route.
• Learn your child’s school or day care center emergency plans.

• Keep your car fueled; once evacuation has been ordered stations may be inoperable.
• Listen to local television and radio for emergency broadcasts and instructions.
• Follow instructions. If you are advised to evacuate, do so immediately.

If time permits, the following should be done:

• Board up or tape windows and doors to prevent flying glass.
• Stock your car with nonperishable foods, drinking water, blankets, flashlights, first aid kit, dry clothes, and any medication that may be needed for your family.
• Fill sinks, bathtubs and jugs with water in case the water supply becomes contaminated.
• Bring outdoor furniture inside or tie them securely.
• Move valuables to upper floors or higher elevations.
• If advised to evacuate, turn off main power and close main gas valve.

If you are caught in the house by sudden rising waters, move to the second floor. If it becomes necessary, move to the roof. Take a flashlight, a portable radio, and warm clothing with you and wait for help. Emergency rescue workers will be looking for you.

Simple actions that can be taken to protect property include moving equipment and furniture to higher levels and more involved efforts such as earthen dams and sandbagging. More permanent approaches should be taken where possible.

The Federal Insurance Administration has published a manual that describes techniques for flood-proofing existing structures. The Design Manual for Retrofitting Floodprone Residential Structures explains various measures that can be taken in an existing structure to reduce the potential of flooding. This manual is available free of charge by writing to:

No new building may be constructed and no substantial improvements of an existing building may take place within any floodplain unless the lowest floor of the building or improvement is flood-proofed or elevated to or above the base flood level. “Substantial Improvement” means any repair, reconstruction, or improvement of a building the cost of which equals or exceeds fifty percent (50%) of the market value of the structure either

The term does not, however, include either


“Substantial Damage” means damage of any origin sustained by a building whereby the cost of restoring the building to its before-damage condition would equal or exceed fifty percent (50%) of the market value of the building before the damage occurred.

Drainage ditches, streams, channels, and canals must be kept free of debris that can cause them to lose carrying capacity. Debris from dumping, vegetation and sedimentation can build up in a drainage system and cause flooding.

Dumping of debris in drainage systems is unlawful in North Carolina. Keep drainage ditches on your property clear and functional, and report dumping in any ditch, stream, channel, or canal.

In a natural or relatively undisturbed state, floodplains provide three valuable resources:

Planning and Zoning:
Mainland: 252-232-6026
Outer Banks: 252-453-8555

Emergency Services:
252-232-2115

For emergency assistance call:
9-1-1

Websites:
http://www.fema.gov/
www.ncem.org