The following is reprinted with permission from the Outer Banks Association of REALTORS®
Dare County Flood Map Update – IMPORTANT INFO
Dare County and its six towns have been working on how to respond to the preliminary flood maps that were released last June. While it looks like an appeal of the maps will not happen, there is ongoing conversation about developing local elevation standards for development and re-development purposes. The maps, when effective, would then only be used for flood insurance rating purposes.
Approximately 75% of Dare County properties currently in a special flood hazard area and required to carry flood insurance are coming out of the special flood hazard area altogether under the preliminary maps. The preliminary maps show some properties that are currently zoned in a VE – highest risk flood zone on the oceanfront moving into an X zone, which is out of the special flood hazard area and not required to carry flood insurance. Technically, a house could be built slab on grade in this zone. The maps, while developed using the latest, most advanced technology, do not take into consideration our high water table and heavy rains that cause flooding from standing water. They were developed to address flooding from storm surge.
OBAR and OBHBA recognize the potential of risky development when it comes to flood hazards under the new maps and have been part of the local conversations on how to move forward. The 90-day appeal process has still not yet started thus delaying the effective date of the maps even more. There is a timeline of things that need to take place before the maps become effective which now may not even be until 2019.
A meeting was held this week with Dare County Planner Donna Creef and members of the county’s Program for Public Information Committee to review and consider approaches to encourage property owners to maintain flood insurance coverage or purchase it if they have not had it. “Low Risk IS Not NO Risk”, “eXceed the X Zone”, and “LES is MORE (Local Elevation Standard) and other possible slogans for a public information flood insurance promotional campaign were discussed. The Committee also talked about how to move forward on developing elevation standards in various areas in unincorporated Dare County and how additions/remodeling/repairs might be treated.
WORD TO THE WISE: Banks are also looking at the impact of the preliminary flood maps if they become effective as presented. You may see banks imposing a flood insurance requirement to qualify for a mortgage in the future although the flood maps show the property in an X zone, where flood insurance is not mandatory. Also, be careful when advising clients as to the redevelopment potential of properties for sale based on the preliminary maps. With focus on the development of local elevation standards, creating new first/ground floor living space may still not be allowed when all is said and done.
