MAP INFORMATION SERVICE

The Town of North Topsail Beach Planning Department provides flood information services for the corporate limits of North Topsail Beach and assistance with the preparation or copies of Elevation Certificates/Letter of Map Amendments/Letter of Map Revisions. Town staff provides information about the local flood hazard and about flood-prone areas that need special protection because of their natural functions, such as:

• Basic Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Information found on a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) that is needed to write a flood insurance policy. Digital maps are available to determine if properties are located within the Special Flood Hazard areas.

• Additional FIRM information that is shown on most FIRMs, such as protected coastal barriers (CBRS), floodways, or lines demarcating wave action (LiMWA).

• Problems not shown on the FIRM such as, areas predicted to be flooded in the future because of climate change or sea level rise and local drainage problems.

• Flood Depth Data from a State Website that predicts that flood depth based on the hazard area designation.

• Special flood-related hazards information about special flood-related hazards, such as erosion, King Tides or hurricanes.

• Historical Flood Information about past flooding at or near the site in question. We have many resources that list historic flood events thoughout the Town.  We also have information on specific area that have had repetitive flooding and can provide you with information specifically for property located within one of the repetitive flood areas.

• Natural Floodplain Functions if a property is located within or near a natural or protected floodplain area and what the potentional impact could be to the the surrounding area.

The Town of North Topsail Beach is concerned about flooding and provides these services to help protect property and citizens.  Additional information on related topics, such as permit requirements. Please do not hesitate to call, email or visit if you need additional information on related topics, such as permit requirements.

Directory of flood protection information, along with links to the appropriate pages:

Flood Protection Library (LIB)* Also available at the Sneads Ferry Library

• Above the Flood: Elevating Your Floodprone House, FEMA-347 (2000)

• Answers to Questions About the National Flood Insurance Program, F-084 (2011)

• Coastal Construction Manual, FEMA-P-55, (2011)

• Elevated Residential Structures, FEMA-54 (1984)

• Mandatory Purchase of Flood Insurance Guidelines, F-083 (2007) This document has been rescinded by FEMA because of a change in the statute

• Protecting Manufactured Homes from Floods and Other Hazards, FEMA P-85 (2009)

• Mitigation of Flood and Erosion Damage to Residential Buildings in Coastal Areas, FEMA-257 (1994)

• Protecting Building Utilities From Flood Damage, FEMA-P-348 (1999)

• Protecting Floodplain Resources, FEMA-268 (1996)

• Reducing Damage from Localized Flooding, FEMA 511 (2005)

Locally Pertinent Documents  (LPD)* Also available at the Sneads Ferry Library

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• Annual Progress Report for Floodplain Management/Hazard Mitigation Plan.

• CAMA Land Use Plan

• Flood Inundation Map 

• Flood Protection Brochure

• Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex 3 to Onslow County Hazard Mitigation Plan.

• Hurricane, Storm and Flood Preparedness Plan

• Mandatory Insurance Information

• Program for Public Information

• Real Estate Brochure

• Tsunami Plan

• Unified Development Ordinance ARTICLE 7. FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION effective June 19, 2020.

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Emergency Announcements from the Town of North Topsail Beach:

Click here to register for Connect-CTY and receive announcements and timely notifications including flood warnings by telephone, cell phone, text, and e-mail.

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Follow NTB on 

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• Emergency Information Websites

• Know Your Risks

• Avoiding Hurricane Damage - A Checklist for Homeowners

• Emergency Information Websites

• Text HURRICANE to 43362 (4FEMA) to receive hurricane safety tips directly to your cell phone (standard message and data rates apply). See the full list of safety tips you can signup for.

• FEMA App, available for Apple, Android, and Blackberry mobile devices.

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Follow FEMA:

• Twitter

• Facebook

• YouTube

• Email Updates

• Data Feeds

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The official site of the National Flood Insurance Program is  floodsmart.gov

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NFIP Information for...

• Claims Adjusters

• Property Owners

• Insurance Professionals

• Lenders

• State & Local Officials

• Surveyors

Regulations

• FEMA Laws and Regulations and the NFIP

• NC Building Code: contact Building Inspector at (910) 328-1349.

• NTB's Unified Development Ordinance, see ARTICLE 7. FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION

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Tide, Swell & Surf Forecasts

USGS real-time gage information for current water levels at nearest USGS 02093000 New River near Gum Branch, NC or try USGS new Mobile-friendly water data site from your mobile device!

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Coastal Zones / LiMWA

There are three basic coastal zones and one new zone in the new NFIP maps. The flood zone X is considered to be a low risk of flooding. VE zones or Coastal High Hazard Areas are zones where high velocity wave action accompanies the storm surge and can cause severe damage to buildings. AE zones are areas affected by storm surge but where wave action is diminished or absent. For the first time FEMA has established another area within the AE zone called the Limit of Moderate Wave Action or LIMWA. These moderate waves can cause damage to buildings, though they are not as damaging as the waves expected in the VE zone. Communities that adopt the Limit of Moderate Wave Action as a higher regulatory standard may earn flood insurance rate discounts.

View in FEMA Multimedia Library