Take "Firm" Action To Prepare For Future Flooding 

Release Date: November 4, 2003
Release Number: 1490-73

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» Fact Sheet On The National Flood Insurance Program

Raleigh, NC -- North Carolina residents may be wondering where they stand in terms of potential flood damage. The information is as close as their phone or home computer.

Residents who want to find out if they live in a community that participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) can contact their insurance agent or call their community's planning or building permit office. Not only can the offices say if the community participates in the NFIP, but they can also explain what permits property owners must get before building, adding to, improving, or repairing damage to an existing building.

Flood maps illustrate the potential for flooding in specific areas. Residents can survey the flood maps in the county or municipal planning office for themselves to determine what degree of danger might be posed to their property.

Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) can be found at the FEMA Flood Map Store, http://store.msc.fema.gov/. Information available on the FEMA website can help homeowners locate and obtain copies of their floodmaps and understand how to read them. They can create and print a portion of the FIRM at no cost. They can also use this site to order the maps on a CD-ROM or download them on-line. The scanned maps are available for purchase at the individual, community, county and state kit levels. Residents who do not have computer access can call the Map Service Center toll-free at 1-800-358-9616 to place a telephone order. An innovative website providing considerable flood mapping detail is also available at www.ncfloodmaps.com for selected counties in eastern North Carolina.

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 04-Nov-2003 16:39:48