Furhter updates and potential "good" news about the new floodmaps

IMPORTANT NEWS - Preliminary Floodplain Mapping Information The Coastal Resources Commission met last week in Nags Head and a portion of the agenda was dedicated to flood, wind and homeowners insurance as well as NC flood maps. Kenneth Ashe, Assistant Program Director with the North Carolina Floodplain Mapping Office, presented preliminary floodplain mapping data for the Outer Banks and other coastal communities. The information presented comes as great news for Dare, Currituck and Hyde Counties! First, Mr. Ashe informed Commission members that flood maps are due to be released, per FEMA approval, per County as follows: •Brunswick, New Hanover, Pender – July 2014 •Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Pasquotank, Perquimans – September 2014 •Carteret, Craven, Onslow, Pamlico – November 2014 •Beaufort, Dare, Hyde, Tyrrell – End of Year 2014 •Bertie, Washington – March 2014 The preliminary data shows an 82% drop in VE zone structures and a 65% drop in AE zone structures! Only structures within those zones are required to have flood insurance when they are covered by a mortgage. If not within the VE or AE zone, property owners can buy flood insurance at greatly reduced, preferred risk rates. OBAR/OBHBA Government Affairs Liaison Willo Kelly participated in the CRC meeting. She shared the above information as well as an update on homeowners and flood insurance at a meeting last night sponsored by the Dare County League of Women Voters. The Outer Banks Voice will be providing video highlights of that meeting soon at www.outerbanksvoice.