Focus, Flood Information Spring 2011
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November to March and can cause fl ooding and serve within any fl oodplain unless the lowest fl oor of the Currituck County erosion to water front properties. Just because you building or improvement is fl ood-proofed or elevated have not experienced a fl ood in the past, does not to or above the base fl ood level. Flood Outreach mean you will not in the future. Flood risk is not just based on history; it’s also based on a number of Substantial improvement means any repair, Do You Know Your Risk? factors: rainfall, river-fl ow and tidal-surge data, reconstruction, or improvement of a building the cost topography, and changes due to building and of which equals or exceeds fi fty percent (50%) of the Many people think that if they do not live near a river development. market value of the structure either before the or on the Outer Banks, they are not in danger of fl ood- improvement or repair is started or if the structure has ing — not true. Flooding is the nation’s number one Flood Warning System been damaged and is being restored, before the natural disaster, and it occurs inland and on the coast. The Emergency Operations Center maintains direct damage occurred. contact with the National Weather Service and the National Hurricane Center. Any updates of threatening Substantial improvement occurs when the fi rst 20-25% of all flood insurance claims weather are relayed to the public. Local offi cials will alteration on any wall, ceiling, fl oor, or other structural filed are outside of a flood zone. notify citizens of evacuations through radio, cable tv, part of the building commences, whether or not that and the Currituck County Emergency Management alteration affects the external dimensions of the Currituck’s Local Flood Risk Department. building. The term does not include either any Anywhere it rains, it can fl ood. Many conditions can project for improvement of a structure to comply with result in a fl ood: hurricanes, outdated or clogged Evacuees will be directed to shelters by law existing state or local health, sanitary or safety code drainage systems, and rapid accumulation of rainfall. enforcement at traffi c control intersections and specifi cations that are solely necessary to insure safe through bulletins on radio/tv/websites. living conditions, or any alteration of a building listed Flooding is one of the main hazards that affect on the National Register of Historic Places or a State Currituck County. Over 58.7% of the county is located Radio Stations: WXER 94.1; WRSF 105.7; WCMS Inventory of Historic Places. in a fl ood zone. The county can experience fl ooding 94.5; WVOD 99.1; WERX 102.5; WKJK 96.7; from hurricanes, tropical storms, nor’easters, heavy WCXL 104.1; WGAI AM 560; NOAA Weather Ra- Cars will float in less than one foot rains, and fl ash fl oods. The Atlantic Ocean, Albemarle dio: - Cape Hatteras 162.475 MHz, of water, and 2 feet of water will carry Sound, Currituck Sound, and North River are the Norfolk, VA 162.550 MHz away most vehicles, including SUVs. primary sources of fl ooding for the most vulnerable TV Stations: WTKR 3; WAVY 10; WVEC 13; WSKY areas of the county. On the Outer Banks, wave action 4; WITN 7; Mediacom Ch. 18; Charter Ch. 19 associated with storm surge can be much more Property Protection Measures damaging than just rising fl ood waters alone. In Flood Safety There are many alternatives available to help addition, nor’easters can cause greater, more Floods can happen anywhere, at any time. Know minimize and mitigate fl ooding. The following prolonged exposure for coastal properties. In low your risk and be prepared! Have a fl ood evacuation improvements can be made to an existing structure to lying portions of mainland Currituck, properties are plan in place before fl ooding occurs. This includes help reduce or eliminate fl ood damage risks. more susceptible to fl ooding from typical heavy rain safe routes from home, work, and school that are on events. high ground. Have an emergency kit ready before a They include: fl ooding or storm event that includes • Elevating the entire structure above the Base Flood a portable radio, fl ashlight batteries, Elevation (BFE) blankets, extra clothing, baby products, • Elevating crucial home infrastructure- such as non-perishable food, manual can open- electrical outlets, breaker or fuse boxes, water heaters, er, medicines, toiletries, and important HVAC equipment and fuel tanks. papers such as insurance information. • Installing openings in fl ood-prone areas below BFE Also, make a complete inventory of the to allow fl oodwaters to fl ow through. contents of your house. Take pictures • Installing sewer backfl ow valves to prevent sewage and describe the inventory. This will be backup in a fl ood. helpful in the event you receive damage • Installing storm shutters and reinforcing garage and are seeking assistance. doors. If you are asked to evacuate due to Currituck County can also help you reduce your fl ooding, hurricane, or other hazard, property’s fl ood hazard by providing you with a list of lock all windows and doors before you licensed contractors and consultants who are leave. Turn off the electricity at the knowledgeable about retrofi tting techniques and main breaker terminal and gas system construction to make your house or building safer. Hurricane Isabel (2003) and Tropical Storm Ernesto at the outside source - only if you know how. Unplug (2006) produced several fl oods and extensive struc- small appliances and place towels or rugs around any tural damage. Ernesto dropped over seven inches of openings to prevent seepage. rainfall in four days resulting in three to four feet of standing water. In September 2009, Moyock Lightweight or easily damaged items experienced six inches of rainfall in six hours causing should be moved to the highest twelve to eighteen inches of standing water in streets. location possible, secured, and covered In November 2009, Currituck County experienced with plastic. Be sure to secure outdoor fl ooding from a nor’easter. Over a 48 hour period furniture and potted plants. These items parts of the County received thirteen inches. can become projectiles during high winds. If you cannot take your pets There is a 26% chance of with you, put out food and water. experiencing a flood during the life of a 30-year mortgage in high-risk flood Once an evacuation has been issued, be areas (A or V zones) compared to a prepared to leave immediately. Do not 10.4% chance of fire. stay in areas subject to fl ooding when water begins to rise. As you leave, do not drive through fl ood waters. If your The chances of hurricanes and tropical storms are vehicle stalls, leave it immediately and most prevalent from June 1 through November 30. move to higher ground. August and September are the most active months for tropical storm activity. An approaching hurricane Substantial Improvement poses a potential danger of rising sea levels with wind No new building should be constructed driven waves and strong currents. Nor’easters are and no substantial improvements of most prevalent during the winter months from an existing building should take place Currituck County - “Rich in heritage with a vision for tomorrow” Call the Planning Department at 252-232-3055 for insurance, and the parameters of its coverage, by Development is defi ned as any man-made change to help in identifying and examining different ways to contacting any licensed property or casualty insurance improved or unimproved real estate, including, but retrofi t an existing building and advice on siting and agent or broker. not limited to, buildings or other structures, mining, building new structures. dredging, fi lling, grading, paving, excavation, or drill- There is a 30-day waiting period between the ing operations, or storage of equipment or materials. If a fl ood is imminent, property can be protected by purchase of fl ood insurance sandbagging areas where water might enter living and when coverage begins to spaces. Valuables and furniture may be moved to prevent purchasing insurance higher areas of the dwelling to minimize loss. when a major storm is fore- Whatever emergency protection measures are used, it cast (only to cancel the policy is always best to have a written plan in advance. when the threat passes). Additional information can be found at the Federal The following exceptions Emergency Management Agency’s Web site at http:// apply: www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/fl oodplain/publications. • When the purchase of shtm. Under the “Floodplain Management” insurance is done in connec- heading, several items explain how you can protect tion with making, increasing, your property. extending or renewing a loan. • When the purchase of Homeowner insurance policies insurance occurs during the do NOT cover flooding. one-year period following issuance of a revised fl ood map for a community. Flood Insurance Contact the Currituck County Planning Department When it comes to fl ood protection, your homeowner’s If a fl ood strikes, the type and amount of federal for advice on how to best mitigate your structure from policy is not enough. Typical policies do not cover disaster assistance you can receive is affected by fl ooding. The way a structure is built can directly losses due to fl ooding. whether you have fl ood insurance, making it all the affect the cost to insure the building. There are more important to have a policy before a fl ood special provisions in the Unifi ed Development Many people are under the misconception that they threatens.