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Flood Maps

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Union County works in cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the state of North Carolina to update FEMA's official flood maps. These maps show areas that have been officially designated as floodplain, which are properties or sections of properties most susceptible to flooding.    

If the state’s flood maps show the presence of floodplain on your property, you may encounter the following implications: 

  • a heightened risk of flooding on your property;
  • your mortgage company may require you to obtain flood insurance; and/or
  • there may be restrictions on what you can build on your property. 

It is important for every resident and property owner to know their flood risk. This information is provided to the public in the form of two mapping systems.

First, residents are encouraged to check flood.NC.gov. Simply enter your street address at the top to determine your flood zone and whether you live in a high, medium, or low flood risk area; this map will also locate nearby flood gauges.   

A second option is a mapping system known as FRIS, the Flood Risk Information System. Click here to access FRIS. This map is commonly used by land use planners, engineers, and emergency management personnel, so it is a little more technical in nature. However, it is also intended to be useful to the public. To help you navigate the state's map and find the information you need, please refer to this guide or watch the video below. 

Questions?

Are you curious to learn if the presence of floodplain on your property limits what you can build? Please contact the local government that has planning jurisdiction for your property:

  • If your property is inside a Union County municipality (other than Hemby Bridge) – please contact your city, town, or village. Their staff can answer questions about their municipality's restrictions on development in the floodplain.  
  • If your property is the unincorporated areas of Union County or inside Hemby Bridge, please contact Union County Planning, 704-283-3557.

 

Help with Flooding

Flooding can occur after multiple days of steady rainfall or during severe weather events. Areas in the mapped floodplain are most susceptible to flooding. Knowing your risk can help you know how to prepare for potential flooding. The state of North Carolina provides helpful tips for flooding guidance and residents are encouraged to consider opting into the National Flood Insurance Program.