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Floodplain Information & Management
Smart Planning and Preparedness for Flood Resilience
Flooding is one of the most frequent and costly natural hazards in eastern North Carolina, especially in low-lying areas near the Tar River and its tributaries. To address these risks, effective floodplain management combines planning, regulation, and public awareness to guide safer development and strengthen community resilience. This approach includes preparedness planning, stormwater controls, and building standards that limit construction in high-risk areas while protecting people, property, and the natural floodplain functions that absorb runoff and reduce erosion. Tools such as flood maps, elevation certificates, and insurance programs also help residents understand their risks and recover more quickly after major storms.
For Additional Floodplain Information or Questions
Call 252-902-3250
Supporting Flood Protection and Insurance Access
The Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (FDPO) sets local rules to reduce flood risk and limit damage to homes, businesses, and public infrastructure. Keeping the ordinance in line with FEMA standards allows Pitt County to stay part of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which it has participated in since 1980. Through the NFIP, residents and business owners can get federally backed flood insurance to help recover after major storms.
The FDPO is based on the North Carolina Floodplain Management Branch model ordinance, which meets both FEMA and state requirements. These updates keep Pitt County compliant, strengthen community resilience, and support safe, responsible development in flood-prone areas.
Pitt County also provides floodplain management and regulatory assistance to nearby municipalities:
- Ayden
- Bethel
- Falkland
- Farmville
- Fountain
- Grifton
- Grimesland
- Simpson
The full ordinance outlines definitions, requirements, and standards in flood hazard areas.
View the Full Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance
Reducing Risk with Development Standards for Flood-Prone Areas
All development within a designated floodplain must comply with the Pitt County Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance. “Development” refers to any man-made change to improved or unimproved land, including constructing buildings or other structures, dredging, excavation or drilling, filling, grading or paving, mining or similar operations, and storing equipment or materials.
A floodplain review is required with any building permit for lots located within or adjacent to flood hazard areas. These areas may include FEMA-designated flood zones, flood hazard soils, water features such as lakes and streams, or backwater areas created by road culverts or pond dams. If it is determined that development will occur within the floodplain, the forms listed below may be required.
Required Certificates
- Floodplain Development Permit:
Required for all development within the AE Flood Zone (100-year floodplain) . - Elevation or Floodproofing Certificate:
Required for structures or utilities in the AE Flood Zone. - No-Rise Certification:
Required for any development within the floodway.
The Flood Insurance Study (FIS) for the county and the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) help guide responsible development and reduce flood risk.
Review the Pitt County Flood Insurance Study Now
Providing Accurate Floodplain Mapping and Data Resources
Accurate floodplain maps are vital for understanding and reducing flood risk. They identify areas more likely to flood during major storms and guide responsible development, emergency planning, and insurance decisions. Data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the North Carolina Floodplain Mapping Program support regular updates to local mapping and flood studies.
Official Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports show base flood elevations, floodway limits, and 100- and 500-year flood zones. These tools help determine when permits, elevation certificates, or insurance are required. Maps are updated periodically to reflect new studies, land-use changes, and improved modeling.
Residents, surveyors, realtors, and developers can access this information online or in person:
- GIS System:
View parcel-level floodplain data, aerial imagery, and elevation details for any property.
View Pitt County GIS Information Now - North Carolina Floodplain Mapping Program:
Access statewide digital flood data, download FIRM panels and FIS reports, and learn about current mapping initiatives.
Visit the North Carolina Floodplain Mapping Program - Planning & Development Office:
Official printed copies of FIRM maps and FIS reports for local jurisdictions are available for review during normal business hours.
Note: Always verify flood zone information before purchasing property, applying for permits, or beginning construction. Floodplain maps and designations may change over time, and even small updates can affect insurance or development requirements.
Studies & Planning for a More Flood Resilient Future
Pitt County and its regional partners are advancing long-term watershed and floodplain studies to better understand and reduce flood risks. These efforts promote sustainable growth, protect natural resources, and help communities recover more quickly after major storms.
Tar-Pamlico River Basin Flood Risk Management Study
After major flooding from Hurricanes Matthew (2016) and Florence (2019), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers received federal funding in 2019 to assess ways to reduce flood risk and strengthen resilience throughout the Tar-Pamlico River Basin. The Corps’ Pittsburgh District released a draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment (IFR/EA) in October 2023 that evaluates multiple management options and recommends a preferred plan for future federal action.
The study area covers parts of the Tar River Basin in North Carolina—stretching about 215 miles from the Piedmont through the Coastal Plain to the Pamlico Sound and spanning roughly 6,100 square miles. Key communities include Louisburg, Rocky Mount, Greenville, Tarboro, and Princeville. The Pamlico River and the City of Washington were excluded from this phase but are expected to be included in a future study focusing on combined river and coastal flooding.
Upper Swift Creek and Fork Swamp Watershed Action Plan
Through a grant from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund (CWMTF), the Planning Department partnered with Michael Baker Engineering, Inc. and local organizations to develop a watershed plan that addresses stormwater management and reduces flooding impacts.
The project focuses on the Upper Swift Creek and Fork Swamp watersheds near NC Highway 102. The Swift Creek watershed extends downstream to include the Town of Ayden, while the Fork Swamp watershed ends upstream near Ivy Road.
To request a copy of the plan Call Thomas Shrader at 252-902-3258