In cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the state of North Carolina is updating its official flood maps for several counties, including Union County. These maps show areas officially designated as floodplains, which are properties or sections of properties most susceptible to flooding. 

Because floodplains can shift over time, federal and state agencies work collaboratively with local governments to ensure that their official flood maps remain accurate. After much work and analysis to update the maps, the state creates a draft – or “preliminary” – version of its updated flood maps for the public to review before the new maps become final. 

If the state’s flood maps show the presence of floodplain on your property, you may encounter the following implications: 

• a heightened risk of flooding on your property;
• your mortgage company may require you to obtain flood insurance; and/or
• there may be restrictions on what you can build on your property. 

Union County is working collaboratively with municipalities throughout the county to alert property owners of the ongoing efforts to update these maps. Union County has mailed letters to affected property owners in unincorporated areas of the county and in Hemby Bridge, as these are areas where the county has planning jurisdiction. If you own property in a town or city in Union County that has been affected by the preliminary flood maps, then you should look for a similar notification letter from your municipality. 

If you have not received a letter but wish to view the state’s proposed changes to the flood maps and confirm any impact on your property, you can do so online using the state's mapping resource. Click here to access the state's Flood Risk Information System (FRIS).

For more information, please visit: https://www.unioncountync.gov/government/departments-f-p/planning-development/stormwater-floodplain/flood-maps