Flood Plain Resources

New Flood Maps

Preliminary flood map data can be reviewed online. Should you have any questions regarding the new maps, how the latest data will affect your property, or what the insurance requirements will be, please call the City of Jacksonville’s Planning and Permitting Office at 910 938-5232. Find Your Property on the New Maps

Floodplain Management

Floodplain Management assists customers in meeting the requirements of the City of Jacksonville Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

The Planning and Permitting Division is the contact for all the flood information for the City, including Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), Elevation Certificates (ECs) and Flood Insurance Studies.

Jacksonville's Planning & Permitting Division is also responsible for the Community Rating System (CRS) information. CRS is a voluntary program, which, based on activities performed by the community determines a discount from 5 percent to 40 percent on flood insurance rates. Currently, the City of Jacksonville is a CRS Class 8 and we receive a 5 or 10 percent discount on our local flood insurance premiums, depending upon your location. The town engages in many activities that could lead to a lower CRS classification in the future. Access the 2023 CRS Progress Report here.

The following information can be obtained from the Planning & Permitting Division

Flood Map Determinations and an explanation of your risk to flooding
Copies of Elevation Certificates (ECs)
Copies of Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs)
Requirements for Construction in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA)
Substantial Damage Determinations

Please contact Jacksonville Planning & Permitting Division at 910 938-5232 for more information.

NOAA hosts an excellent resource for the southeast’s river forecast. By interacting with their map, you can check current and predicted water levels for many regions within Onslow County.

View Real-Time Gage Information

Floodplain Resources

Disaster Plan for Pets

Surveyor’s Corner

Flood Hazard Information & Warning System

Flood Insurance

Benefits of Flood Insurance

If you are in a flood hazard area or in an area subject to flooding, purchase federal flood insurance. It provides coverage that most homeowner’s insurance doesn’t - coverage for damage to structures and contents from flooding, flood-related erosion, and flood-caused mudslides. Renters can also buy policies to protect their personal property.

Eligibility & Coverage

You are eligible for federal flood insurance because the City of Jacksonville NC participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). If the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) shows that a property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area, which includes all A-zones, flood insurance is required by law in order to get federally secured financing to buy, build, or improve structures on that property.

Maximum flood insurance coverage is $250,000 for residential properties and $500,000 for commercial properties with content coverage maxing out at $100,000 coverage for residential properties and $500,000 for commercial properties. The standard flood insurance policy provides coverage for one structure per policy. The only exception is 10 percent coverage for a detached garage. However, the total payment for flood damage to the detached garage and the house together cannot exceed the structure policy limit. For coverage to apply, the garage can only be used for parking and storage. Any other use would void this coverage; for example, if the garage has a workshop, the coverage would not apply. All other structures on the premises need separate coverage. There is generally a 30-day waiting period once you apply, so don’t wait until a flood is coming to apply for flood insurance coverage. Flood insurance can be purchased from any licensed property or casualty insurance agent, broker, or company.

Special Flood Hazard Areas

In the City of Jacksonville, NC, the purchase of flood insurance on a voluntary basis is wise even outside Special Flood Hazard Areas. In fact, some lenders and mortgage companies require insurance in Shaded X Zones (areas between limits of the 100-year flood and 500-year flood, more commonly referred to as the 500 year floodplain or the 0.2% annual chance flood area), as well.

The City of Jacksonville Planning & Permitting staff will check the official Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and tell you whether your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA).