Provided below are links to additional information and partner organizations, which offer resources to assist with the education, prevention, and response to flood threats.

(PLEASE NOTE: several of the links below redirect to third-party websites, which are not maintained or administered by the Town of Oak Island. Although these are considered trusted information sources, the Town of Oak Island is not responsible for the approval, management, or revision of these sites.)

• Are You Prepared For a Flood? Information brochure for homes located within a flood zone 
• Building to Flood Standards
• For Homeowners, Renters & Business Owners | FEMA.gov
• Flood Risk Information System (nc.gov)
• How to Find your FIRM and Make a FIRMette (fema.gov)
• National Flood Insurance Technical Bulletins | FEMA.gov
• Flood Hazard Guide: This is a comprehensive guide for citizens to utilize during flooding and rain events.
• Flood Maps (NC): Link to the FRIS (North Carolina Flood Risk Information System).
• Flood-Smart Program: FEMA and The National Flood Insurance Program’s guide to purchasing and understanding flood insurance.
• Hazard Mitigation Plan: A Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) involving a three-county region including Brunswick, New Hanover, and Pender Counties.
• Floodplain Management Publications: A list of publications and references useful during floodplain management.
• Coastal Construction Manual: The principles and practices of planning, siting, designing, constructing, and maintaining residential buildings in coastal areas.
• Hazard Mitigation Assistance: A link to hazard mitigation assistance information from FEMA.
• Hurricane Preparedness Plan: Town actions and what to expect Before, During, and After a storm.
• Flood Inundation Mapping: A link to FIMAN (The Flood Inundation Mapping and Alert Network), go here to sign up to receive flood alerts.
• Flood Risk Calculator: North Carolina’s search engine to find out the flood risk at your address.
• National Hurricane Center: NOAA and the National Weather Service’s center for hurricane information.
• Previous Flooded Areas Map: The map shows the locations of flooded areas during Hurricane Florence.

Even with all the advances in technology and other amenities that help control our day to day lives, we can not prevent inclement weather, however we can be prepared. Hurricanes such as Bertha, Floyd, Fran, Charlie and the No Name Hurricane caused much devastation and financial difficulties for the citizens of Oak Island. The Department of Development Services is in charge of assisting the citizens of Oak Island in preparing and recovering from extreme weather events, mainly flooding. Areas prone to flooding include the ocean front areas, the estuary shoreline, and a small valley located between 58th Street and 40th Street along Dolphin and Pelican Drive.

A person’s home typically represents his or her greatest investment. That is why many people have their home insured. What some people do not know is that Homeowners Insurance does not normally cover damage caused by flooding.

It is possible to get flood insurance from an NFIP agent. If you have questions regarding the flood insurance program under the, NIFP please call toll free 1-800-427-4661. Additional information is also available at www.fema.gov/nfip.

Is Your Property In or Near a Flood Zone?

Local water bodies such as the Atlantic Ocean, AIWW, Davis Canal, Montgomery Slough, and the Elizabeth River provide us access to many of the things we enjoy participating in but they can also cause a great deal of devastation. Flooding from ocean over-wash or heavy rainfalls can quickly cause the inland waterways to flood creating dangerous conditions. These dangerous conditions include but are not limited to erosion, road and soil washouts, and dangerous driving conditions. Standing water also provides problems by being a breeding ground for bacteria and disease.

Citizens can help stabilize the soil and bring the waters back to a normal level, during a flood, by planting trees and grass prior to a flood. Water levels are brought back to normal quicker when there is a limited amount of impervious surfaces (surfaces covered by asphalt or concrete) on your property, which does not allow for the water to be absorbed as quickly.

It is important to know if your property is located within a flood zone to help you understand your chances of being flooded. The Department of Development Services will assist you in finding out your flood zone hazard. We use a special map based on the flood hazard areas from the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) to determine if you are in a flood zone and if so which zone you are in. The following information will be provided when you call: community number, panel number and suffix, and FIRM zone Box.

Note: Please have your property address, Lot, and Block numbers available when you call. You can also obtain your flood hazard information by going to www.floodsmart.gov or flood.nc.gov/ncflood.

Building Permits Required

Development and Building Permits are required before any phase of construction begins. This is done to ensure that proper flood resistant materials are used generally to reduce the amount of damage that could be caused to a structure by a flood. Any structure located within the Flood zone is required to meet the Flood resistant materials requirements as set by the NFIP, furthermore any structure located partially or fully in a v-zone must be designed by a licensed design professional. For more information about these materials you can either call Development Services at 910-278-5024 or you can obtain this information at: www.fema.gov/nfip-technical-bulletins. Building in the Town of Oak Island without a permit is ILLEGAL; please report instances to Development Services at 910-278-5024.

The flood hazard reduction requirements are strictly enforced in the floodplain areas. Some of these requirements are designing electrical, heating, ventilation, plumbing, air conditioning equipment, and other service facilities so as to prevent water from entering or accumulating within the components during a flood. The Town of Oak Island’s zoning ordinance requires that all new buildings located within the flood plain must be elevated to one foot above the base or “100-year” flood base. Furthermore, all construction on the island must be built to meet 150 mph wind-zone requirements. For more information on this please contact Development Services.

The Town also enforces the substantial improvement/damage requirements. This requires that if the cost of reconstruction, remodeling, additions, or other improvements to a building equals or exceeds 50% of the properties value before being damaged or altered, then the whole structure must be brought up to current building and ordinance requirements.

Protecting your Property 

There are a number of measures that property owners can take to limit possible damage from flooding to existing homes.

• Elevate your home so that the lowest floor is above the flood level is one way, to protect your home and property against flooding. However, the most effective way to permanently retrofit your home against flood damage is to move it out of a flood plain.
• Relocate the electrical box, the water heater, and heating system, to an upper floor or elevate it at least 12 inches above the base flood elevation.
• Anchor the fuel tank to the foundation to prevent it from overturning and floating. Metal structural supports and fasteners must be non-corrosive. Wooden treated structural supports must be pressure treated.
• Anchor sheds or other outbuildings either to a foundation or with straps and ground anchors; this will make them less susceptible to wind damage or being blown away.

In the case of a pending flood, there are some actions you can take to further protect your property.

• Elevate furniture above flood protection levels.
• Using backflow preventers at sewer lines to the dwelling prevents sewer backflow.

Keep materials like sandbags, plastic sheeting, and lumber handy for emergency waterproofing. And remember that drainage ditches perform better when kept clear of brush and debris.

Maintaining Drainage Systems

The Town of Oak Island as a community loses a portion of our drainage system due to dumped debris, soil erosion, and sedimentation. When this happens flooding occurs more quickly, and easily, it also reaches higher elevations. The higher elevation of flooding can subject properties that are otherwise protected to unnecessary risks.

• To minimize risks, refrain from dumping grass clippings and brush along canal banks and waterways.
• Divert gutters, down spouts, and sump pump drainage on to grassy areas and away from impervious surfaces.
• Plant native trees and plants as part of a natural landscape in order to minimize mowing and watering.
• Cover bare soil with native plants to reduce soil erosion and water runoff.
• Make sure landscape improvements slope away from your home so that water runoff does not end up inside your home or next to the foundation.

Dumping is against the law please report any dumping to the local code enforcement officer at 910-278-5024.

Flood Warning Systems

Warning systems keep you informed and can save your life. Flood warnings and forecasts of impending storms are broadcast to the public by NOAA weather radio, and local TV and Radio. These warnings are intended to give residents time to prepare, and protect their properties. They also act to lessen citizen exposure to expected floods. Flood and Storm information may be heard on:

• NOAA Weather Radio 162.550
• WWAY-TV (over the air channel 3 / Spectrum Cable channel 10)
• WECT-TV (Over the air channel 6 / Spectrum Cable channel 7)
• WHQR FM 91.3
• Radio AM 1350
• WAAV AM 980
• The Weather Channel (Spectrum Cable 41)
• OKI-TV (Spectrum Cable channel 8)

Evacuation

If evacuation is necessary, turn off all utilities and secure outdoor objects that could cause damage in high winds and/or flood events. If an evacuation is ordered please make all the necessary arrangements for evacuation. Do not wait until the last minute to leave!

After Flooding

Those living in hazard areas can take the following actions to decrease the risk of injury due to flooding:

• Do not drive through flooded areas or around road barriers, as roads or bridges may be washed out.
• Keep children away from flood waters, ditches, culverts, and drains.
• Stay away from power lines and electrical wires -- report downed power lines to the power company.
• Turn off all electrical circuits at the panel or disconnect all electrical appliances.
• Be alert for gas leaks. Do Not smoke or use candles, lanterns, or open flames unless you know that the gas has been turned off and the area has been ventilated.

For more information on avoiding flood hazards, contact the Town of Oak Island Development Services Department at 910-278-5024 or through the Department Contact Form.

FLOODPLAIN MAP INFORMATION 

Floodplain map information is provided through the North Carolina Floodplain Mapping Program, located at 4218 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699.  to contact the program directly, call 919-715-5711, email frishelp@ncdps.gov, or visit their website at https://flood.nc.gov/ncflood/.

The Floodplain Mapping Tool is a powerful resource, that can assist in learning about the following:

• Flood risk at a specific address
• Flood hazards
• Structural and content impacts
• Potential insurance rates
• Mitigation opportunities
• Location of flood warning sites near you.

To access the Floodplain Map CLICK HERE

Additional Flood Map Information

Flood Prone Areas Map: Low lying areas subject to flooding during rain events and the map here shows those locations.

Pre-Project Vegetation Line Map: This map is provided for informational purposes only; verification of the Pre-Project Vegetation Line (formerly known as the 1998 static vegetation line) shall be done by a licensed surveyor. Map layers can be toggled on and off if the “content” icon is selected on the top left off the web-map.

FLOOD INSURANCE INFORMATION

NOTICE: FEMA has changed the way it views flood risk and prices flood insurance. The National Flood Insurance Program’s new rating methodology, Risk Rating 2.0, delivers rates that are easier to understand, and better reflect a property’s unique flood risk. Rates will now be developed on a structure-by-structure basis, offering users a more individualized picture of their risk. 

To view full information on Risk Rating 2.0 changes, CLICK HERE. 

LOMA: Determine the (Letters of Map Amendment) Locations

FEMA Fact Sheet: Flood Insurance

FEMA's Flood-Smart Program: The National Flood Insurance Program aims to reduce the impact of flooding on private and public structures. It does so by providing affordable insurance to property owners and by encouraging communities to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations. These efforts help mitigate the effects of flooding on new and improved structures. Overall, the program reduces the socio-economic impact of disasters by promoting the purchase and retention of general risk insurance, but also of flood insurance, specifically. Signup to receive email updates.

NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) Regulations: The attached addresses several of the issues surrounding the NFIP regulations concerning substantial improvement and substantial damage. The Notice to Property Owners, should be used by local governments for both non-disaster related structural improvements and in post-disaster damage situations.

The Hazard Mitigation Plan for Oak Island is a multi-jurisdictional plan which is maintained and updated at 5-year regular intervals. Hazard mitigation plans are prepared and adopted by communities with the primary purpose of identifying, assessing, and reducing the long-term risk to life and property from hazard events. Effective mitigation planning can break the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage. Hazard mitigation plans can address a range of natural and human-caused hazards. 

FEMA requires local governments to develop and adopt hazard mitigation plans as a condition for receiving certain types of non-emergency disaster assistance, including funding for mitigation projects. Hazard mitigation works to reduce loss of life and property by reducing the impact of disasters. Through effective mitigation planning and the implementation of mitigation strategies greater risk reduction can be achieved.

The Development Services Department provides flood information services for the Town of Oak Island. Items the office can specifically help with include:

• Basic Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Information: Our maps will show if your property is in the Special Flood Hazard (SFHA) area and we can provide the basic information that you will need to secure flood insurance.
• Additional FIRM information: Our maps will show if your property is located in a floodway.
• Historical Flood Information: We can provide information to let you know if your property is in an area that has suffered repetitive flooding.
• Natural Floodplain functions: We can provide you information to let you know if your property is located in or near sensitive, natural or protected floodplain areas such as wetlands.
• Elevation Certificates: We have copies of elevation certificates for most existing structures in the Special Flood Hazard Areas. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Elevation Certificate (EC) (FEMA form 086-0-33) is an administrative tool of the NFIP which is to be used to provide elevation information necessary to ensure compliance with community floodplain management ordinances to determine the proper insurance premium rate.

The Town of Oak Island is concerned about flooding and provides these services to help protect property and citizens. Please feel free to contact our office at (910) 278-5024 if we can provide any assistance.