Carteret County Flood Information / flood information services

How it works

Carteret County says FEMA issued a Letter of Final Determination on July 17, 2024 for select flood insurance rate map panels in the county, and those panels became effective on January 17, 2025. The county directs residents to a Carteret County FIRM Status Map to see which preliminary panels became effective.

Beginning January 17, 2025, portions of unincorporated Carteret County are mapped into a new Coastal A flood zone. The page states that all new construction and substantial improvement in those areas must be built to V-zone construction standards and be built on piers, pilings, or columns, with both breakaway walls and flood venting for enclosures below the effective base flood elevation. The county tells residents to use the county GIS website or the NCFRIS website to determine whether a property is mapped into the new Coastal A flood zone.

Carteret County also participates in the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System (CRS). Because of that participation, unincorporated Carteret County is designated as a Class 9 community, which results in a 5% discount on NFIP flood insurance premiums for all properties, including those outside the Special Flood Hazard Area.

What the service covers

• Basic FIRM information
• Historical flood information
• Natural floodplain function information
• Assistance with letter of map amendments and letter of map revisions
• Copies of elevation certificates for all new construction and substantial improvements
• Advice on how to protect property from flooding
• Advice on hurricane preparedness and flood education
• Technical advice on how to protect buildings from flooding

The county also says it requires higher regulatory standards through its Flood Damage Prevention and Protection Ordinance.

Timing and deadlines

• July 17, 2024: FEMA issued a Letter of Final Determination for select map panels.
• January 17, 2025: Those panels became effective.
• Beginning January 17, 2025: portions of unincorporated Carteret County are mapped into the new Coastal A flood zone.

Amounts and matching

No grant, rebate, or direct payment is described. The page’s only stated dollar benefit is the 5% NFIP flood insurance premium discount for Class 9 communities.

How to get help

Residents are directed to contact Carteret County Planning & Development or a Carteret County Floodplain Manager for help determining whether a property is in the SFHA and for technical advice on protecting buildings from flooding.