Brunswick County could have new flood maps soon

Feb. 25--BRUNSWICK COUNTY -- Updated flood maps that indicate different flood zones in Brunswick County for insurance purposes might become official later this year.

The maps have been in a preliminary status since 2014, and their official adoption could signify big changes in flood zone areas -- and subsequently flood insurance rates homeowners pay.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which has been reviewing the maps for the last four years, is preparing to send out a final letter of determination Feb. 28, which means the organization is "done with the evaluation and resolution process," said Keith Acree, spokesman for the N.C. Division of Emergency Management.

Once Brunswick County receives the letter, Acree said they will have six months to formally adopt the flood maps. Acree said the FEMA evaluation process has taken so long due to concerns and complaints that were raised by residents when the draft maps were put out four years ago.

"It's been a long process to get a letter of determination," he said.

Brunswick County has several flood zone areas. VE zones, AE zones and Flood Zone A require mandatory flood insurance purchase due to the high risk of flooding. VE zones, or coastal high hazard area, can be a zone where flood insurance costs run high, due to the zone being coastal. Homes can potentially suffer from wave damage and storm surge.

If the maps are approved, a lot of areas previously in the VE zone move into an AE zone, meaning insurance premiums could drop, said Clif Cheek, president of the Brunswick County Association of Realtors (BCAR).

Cheek said the maps have been "a long time coming" and will have a "tremendous impact" on insurance for homeowners' benefit.

"We've got some of our clients that have been put into a VE zone and their insurance can sometimes be as high as say $16,000 per year," Cheek said. "With them going from a VE to, in a lot of cases, AE zones, it's a much better rate and will bring those premiums down tremendously, which will then open it up to a lot more buyers being able to afford them because they're not having to pay such high premiums."

Lavette Ford, Brunswick County's floodplain administrator, said the flood maps are "our bread and butter." Using the maps, Ford said she is able to give people an idea of what flood zone they are in, which then dictates what insurance they need. As per county ordinance, knowing what flood zone a person is in allows Ford to dictate what level a homeowner would need to build their home to, she said.

Yet since the 2014 flood maps aren't official, Ford said she cannot grant permits for structures using the preliminary maps -- something that would change if the maps became approved.

Reporter Makenzie Holland can be reached at 910-343-2371 or Makenzie.Holland@StarNewsOnline.com.

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