Protect Your Property

Protecting Your Property 

Your home is likely your most valuable and expensive asset. You should prepare your home so that it is able to withstand the various hazards that might impact the structure. Hazard Mitigation is taking action now – before the next disaster – to reduce human and financial costs later. Hazard Mitigation doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. There are many ways to reduce your exposure to losses.

• Determine the floor elevation relative to local flood predictions.
• Protect against high winds by installing storm shutters and reinforcing garage doors.
• The best way to protect your home is through the National Flood Insurance Program.
• Thousands of homeowners thought it would never happen to them.  Don’t be one of those homeowners.

Design Considerations for Coastal Areas

Manufactured Homes

Manufactured homes in coastal areas have their own unique set of circumstances.  Manufactured homes require additional planning and preparation for flood events.  Follow the link below for additional information.

Protecting Manufactured Homes from Floods and Other Hazards

Build Responsibly

Building a home on the Carolina Coast is one of the most rewarding ventures.  A properly designed and constructed home will bring many years of enjoyment.  The following are some considerations necessary for planning and building in Brunswick County.

• Determine if the lot or property you are building on will meet the required zoning setbacks for new construction.
• ALWAYS check with the Code Administration Department AND the Floodplain Management Department before you build, alter, degrade or add fill soil to your property.
• If you are building in a CAMA area, be sure to learn more about CAMA at NC DEQ Coastal Resources Commission Rules.
• Review FEMA’s technical resource Residential Coastal Construction.
• Contact the Brunswick County Central Permitting Office at (910) 253-2021 for building permits.
• All activity to include building, alterations, degrading or adding fill soil to your property, requires a Flood Development Permit.
  

Homeowner’s Guide to Retrofitting: six ways to retrofit

1. Elevation – Raising your home so that the lowest floor or lowest horizontal member is at or above the regulated flood level. You can accomplish this in several ways. (Chapter 5)
2. Relocation– Moving your home to higher ground where it will reduce the exposure to flooding. (Chapter 6)
3. Demolition– Tearing down your damaged home and either rebuilding on the same property or buying or building a home elsewhere. (Chapter 6)
4. Wet Floodproofing– Making portions of your home resistant to flood damage and allowing water to enter during flooding. (Chapter 7)
5. Dry Floodproofing– Sealing your home to prevent floodwaters from entering. (Chapter 7)
6. Barrier Systems – Building a floodwall or levee around your home to restrain floodwaters. (Chapter 8)

For information on rules for substantial improvements and damage, contact the Brunswick County Floodplain Administrator at (910) 253-2046 or visit the Substantial Improvement/ Damage Desk Reference.