Floodplain Administration
For proposed construction within a floodplain, please refer to our floodplain checklist. For more complete information, please refer to the New Hanover County Floodplain Ordinance.
The Inspection Department's floodplain management activities within New Hanover County fall into three main areas:
Floodplain Administration Overview
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was established by the Federal Government in the 1960's as part of an effort to correct shortcomings of traditional flood control and flood relief programs, and reduce the costs of flooding to the taxpayers. In 1979, the Federal Insurance Administration (FIA) and the NFIP were transferred to the newly created Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
The NFIP is self-funded; that is, flood insurance premiums are used to bear the cost of paying out claims under the flood policies. This program emphasizes the importance of not repeating the mistakes of the past: new construction and substantial improvements to old construction must meet standards designed to minimize loss of property during flood events, primarily through elevating the lowest floor of the structure, and through anchorage and foundations designed to allow flood waters to pass safely under the building. The flood prone area where these standards apply is termed the "100 Year Floodplain," and is shown on maps prepared by FEMA. Development standards set by the NFIP reach the local level through local ordinances.
Only communities that adopt local floodplain regulations are allowed to participate in the NFIP--a crucial factor in low-lying areas such as New Hanover County, since financing to build or purchase homes in the floodplain is nearly impossible to obtain without flood insurance. The New Hanover County Floodplain Regulations were adopted for the unincorporated areas of the county in 1978, and have been amended several times over the years. The City of Wilmington and Towns of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach also participate in the NFIP, but under their own ordinances.
The County Inspection Department administers the portions of the County Floodplain Regulations that relate to buildings. The County Engineering Department is charged with responsibilities relating to grading and filling of areas within the floodplain--particularly in the floodways along certain streams. While the Inspection Department provides various types of inspection services within the county's municipalities (Wilmington and the beach communities), those municipalities are responsible for the administration and enforcement of their local floodplain regulations. The city or town official is responsible for making floodplain determinations at the time of permit issuance and through the course of the project.
For more information about floodplains or the National Flood Insurance Program, visit North Carolina’s floodplain management program, located within the N.C. Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, or visit FEMA’s website at http://www.fema.gov.
The New Hanover County flood maps may be viewed online at the County’s website or the North Carolina Online Flood Maps page.