Wrightsville Beach received initial feedback from federal and state agencies regarding its ongoing flood zone appeal, and town manager Tim Owens said, “it’s really good news.”
The town appealed the Federal Emergency Management Association’s (FEMA) flood zone designations for Harbor Island in October 2015 to secure lower flood insurance rates for its residents, who argued FEMA’s remotely gathered data deemed their homes at higher risk of flooding than residents actually experienced during storms.
FEMA’s feedback, which Owens presented to the board of aldermen Jan. 14, suggested minor tweaks to the new maps proposed by the town’s hired consulting firm, but Owens said, “Informally, it looks like [the appeal] is going to go forward.”
If FEMA formally grants the appeal, it will publish preliminary maps reflecting the new flood zones. Another 90 day appeal period will follow, during which town staff, leaders and residents can review and comment on the new maps. If no further concerns are raised, Owens estimated the maps could take effect in mid-2017.
While the possibility of lower insurance motivated the appeal, Owens said the new maps would benefit development too.
“You can now more easily redevelop buildings by flood proofing them,” he said. “You don’t have to worry about breakaway walls and all those different things, so there are a lot of different ramifications other than insurance rates.”
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