Floodplains
The Town's floodplain ordinance prohibits development in designated flood-prone areas to protect property owners and allow those floodplains to function naturally.
Flood insurance and federal assistance such as mortgage loans and grants are only available in communities that participate in the National Floodplain Mapping Program and have a floodplain ordinance that meets federal standards.
Flood Insurance
Standard property insurance does not cover flood damage. If your home is located in a federally-designated floodplain, your mortgage company will require that you have flood insurance. If there is a mapped floodplain on your property, it should be shown on your property survey.
The National Flood Insurance Program allows property owners to buy federally-backed flood insurance within participating communities. In return for this protection, communities enact measures to reduce flood risks to new development.
Federally backed flood insurance is available for all buildings in participating communities, whether the buildings are in a regulated floodplain or not. Flood insurance covers direct losses caused by surface flooding.
Floodplain Mapping
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) establishes flood zones for higher risk areas. The purpose is to where flood insurance is required. In partnership with FEMA, North Carolina became the first state to assume responsibility for floodplain mapping. The project includes analyzing flood hazards and producing updated, digital flood maps.
Floodplain maps for Cary and its extra-territorial, or planning jurisdiction, are available at Town Hall in paper and digital form. To see them, contact:
Terry Warren
More on Flood Hazard Mapping
See FEMA's flood mapping information categorized for homeowners, insurers, lenders, surveyors, etc. Learn how to read flood insurance rate maps, how to challenge a lender's determination that your property is in a flood zone, etc.
Floodplain manager, Town of Cary
(919) 462-3932