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I am writing a series of articles about flooding and flood potential for the Examiner. It's good hardcore info everyone needs to know. Post up questions and comments-Let me know what your concerns/questions are so I'll be able to address them in upcoming publications.
Bill - I read your article with interest. After a long search of the entire 175 mile length of the Outer Banks we zeroed in on Carteret County for retirement. As an engineer my first priority was to determine where the high ground was located. I was surprised to find that many real estate agents seemed to discount my focus on avoiding flooding with words like “that’s what flood insurance is for.” After careful study of flood maps we narrowed our search to Atlantic, SeaGate, and Harkers Island. Atlantic (Hunting Quarters) likely has the highest ground in Carteret County (those old seafarers knew where to build) and SeaGate along the ICW has sections of high ground most likely the result of digging the canal. We eventually settled on Harkers Island for several reasons including lots of high ground (some 16’ above sea-level) and with ocean inlets near both ends, the belief that storm surge knocked down by the ‘banks’ would most likely flow around Harkers rather than over-wash the island. Now that we live here part-time, some of the old timers we have met seem to confirm that our logic wasn’t too far off. A question for you; with the exception of the barriers islands, the further inland you go it seems the greater the risk of flooding (from all sources) yet the cost of insurance seems to follow an opposite pattern. Do we who live near the coast pay a disproportionate share based on actual risk?
Unbeknown to most folks, funding for the National Flood Insurance Program is getting ready to expire at the end of the month. Temporary lapses and extensions have happened too many times for me to remember over the past few years.
All areas are flood prone. Coastal, Piedmont, Mountains-All areas. We along the coast have special flood zone areas that have higher risks. Not all coastal areas-Just some. Depending exactly where you live will determine someone's rate. For example-My rate is different than my neighbor two houses down because I have a different elevation/zone. So the short answer is yes-Coastal residents pay higher flood insurance rates because we live in a high risk area.
But I got to add-The coast isn't the only location in risk of flooding due to a storm. In 2004 Hurricanes Frances and Ivan brought 12-23 inches of water to the mountains creating massive flooding and landslides but leavinng coastal NC alone.
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Our search for high ground
