Resources & Frequently Asked Questions

Local Flood Hazard

The dominant source of flooding in Pitt County is riverine flooding.

Riverine flooding from heavy rainfall occurs on the:

• Black Swamp
• Briery Swamp
• Chicod Creek
• Clayroot Swamp
• Conetoe Creek
• Contentnea Creek
• Cow Swamp
• Creeping Swamp
• Crisp Creek
• Fork Swamp
• Great Branch
• Grindle Creek
• Gum Swamp
• Hardee Creek
• Harris Mill Run
• Hunting Run
• Indian Wells Swamp
• Jacob Branch
• Juniper Branch
• Kitten Creek
• Lawerence Run
• Little Contentnea Creek
• Meadow Branch
• Middle Swamp Marsh
• Middle Swamp
• Moyes Run-Cannon Swamp
• Otter Creek
• Pea Branch
• Poley Branch
• Swift Creek
• Tar River
• Tranters Creek
• The Tributaries of Baldwin Swamp
• The Tributaries of Pinelog Branch
• Tyson Creek

North Carolina also experiences hurricanes, tropical storms, and severe extra-tropical cyclones, known as "Nor'easters." These storms passing through the county have historically produced flooding and property damage. Flood losses are also caused by the cumulative effect of obstructions in the floodplain causing increases in flood heights and velocities, and by the occupancy in flood hazard areas vulnerable to floods or hazardous to other lands, which are inadequately elevated, flood proofed, or otherwise unprotected from flood damages.

Prior to the initiation of any development work in a flood hazard area local permits must be applied for an issued to ensure that it will not aggravate the effects of flooding and that the structures are flood damage resistant.

Development work includes:

• Alteration of shore bank or bottom of any waterway
• Bulk heading
• Clearing or Alteration of Land Prior to Building
• Dredging
• Driving of piles
• Dumping
• Excavation
• Filling

Please contact the Pitt County Building Inspections Department at 902-3185 or the Planning Department at 902-3250 if you are planning to perform any of the previously mentioned development work.

Every year, flooding causes more property damage in the United States than any other type of natural disaster. While recent improvements in construction practices have made new homes less prone to flood damage, there are a significant number of existing houses that continue to be susceptible to repetitive losses. Many of these homeowners feel they are trapped in a never ending cycle of flooding and repairing. The house is rarely the same, and its value usually declines.

However, there are ways this cycle of repetitive flooding can be broken. Throughout the country, many examples can be found to illustrate practical and cost-effective methods for reducing or eliminating the risk of a house being flooded again. Or in cases where flooding may be unavoidable, steps are taken to reduce the amount of damages incurred. Some have reduced their flood losses by taking temporary measures such as moving furniture and equipment to upper floors or to higher elevations. Others have held back rising waters by sandbagging or building temporary levees. More permanent approaches have also been used. The Federal Insurance Administration has published a manual that describes various techniques that can be used to flood proof an existing building. This process is known as "retrofitting."

The Design Manual for Retrofitting Floodprone Structures presents a series of permanent retrofitting measures that can be incorporated into an existing house to reduce or eliminate the potential of future flooding.

The measures covered include:

• Elevation of a structure
• Protection of utilities
• Relocation of a structure
• Sealing a structure
• Use of levees and flood walls

This document and others related to flooding can be ordered free of charge by calling FEMA at 1-800-480-2520. The Pitt County Planning Department also has flood related documents available for your review. They can be reached by dialing 902-3250.

Substantial Improvements

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requires that if the cost of reconstruction, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvements to a building exceeds 50% of the buildings market value, then the building must meet the same construction requirements as a new building. Substantially damaged buildings must also be brought up to current elevation standards.(i.e., a structure damaged so that the cost of repairs equals or exceeds 50% of the building's value before it was damaged must be elevated to or above the base flood elevation.)

Natural & Beneficial Functions of Floodplains

In addition to the natural beauty of our rivers and wetlands these, features dissipate wave forces, reduce frequency and duration of surface flow, provide habitat for fish, wildlife, and other vegetation, and filter various forms of runoff. Fortunately, the State of North Carolina has implemented Buffer Rules to protect the areas immediately adjacent to our water bodies from undesirable development that could be detrimental to their functions. For further information on these Buffer Rules, please contact NCDENR at 919-733-7984.

What actions can residents of flood hazard areas take to decrease the potential of injury due to flooding?

• Be familiar with local flood warning procedures as mentioned in this notice.
• Do not attempt to cross a flowing stream where water is above your knees.
• Keep children away from flood waters, ditches, culverts, and storm drains.
• If your vehicle stalls in high water, abandon it immediately and seek higher ground.
• Evacuate the flood hazard area in times of impending flood or when advised to do so by Pitt County officials.
• Just prior to evacuations, cut off all electrical circuits at the fuse panel or disconnect switches. If this in not possible, disconnect all electrical appliances and shut off the water services and gas valves in your home.

How does the Flood Warning System for Pitt County work?

The county receives flood warnings from the National Weather Service via the Emergency Broadcast System and the NC. Division of Emergency Management. Within 24 hours or less, the Pitt County Emergency Services Office acts upon all warnings received and disseminates important information to the public via local radio, television stations, fixed siren systems, public address systems, and the Emergency Broadcast System. The county has also adopted an Emergency Operations Plan to address multiple hazards that threaten the jurisdiction. This document presents a basic plan for Pitt County officials that clearly defines who will do what and when during an emergency.

As a resident of Pitt County, can I get flood insurance on my home?

Usually, your homeowners insurance policy does not cover losses due to flooding. Pitt County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program which makes federal flood insurance available to everyone in the county. Pitt County is in the process of joining the Community Rating System Program. By implementing this program, Pitt County will afford its citizens the ability to receive discounts on there flood insurance premiums. Call your insurance agent regarding these rates and other information specific to your policy. Being in the regular phase of the NFIP, a detailed flood insurance study has been done and Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) developed.