NORTH TOPSAIL TIMES - Town of North Topsail Beach

NORTH TOPSAIL
TIMES
Town of North Topsail Beach
North Carolina
Newsletter
Spring 2013
Volume 7
Visit us on the web at ntbnc.org
Important Numbers
Town Hall………...…(910) 328-1349
(800) 687-7092
Inspections………...(910) 328-3186
Public Works……...(910) 328-5297
Non-Emergency
Police Department…(910) 328-0042
Fire Department….…(910) 328-2200
TOWN HALL WILL BE CLOSED THE FOLLOWING DATES:
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Veteran’s Day
Thanksgiving
Christmas
New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King Birthday
Good Friday
May 27, 2013
July 4, 2013
September 2, 2013
November 11, 2013
November 28 & 29, 2013
December 24,25,26, 2013
January 1, 2014
January 20, 2014
April 18, 2014
In this issue:
Important Flood Info
CBRA Update
Upcoming Events
Dune Maintenance
Information
Town Hall is open 8:00 - 5:00 Monday through Friday
NEW RIVER INLET CHANNEL REALIGNMENT PROJECT COMPLETED
The Town of North Topsail Beach has successfully completed its
“Curbing the loss of our beach is critical to our future,” said Mayor
New River Inlet Channel Realignment Project. The project began on
Daniel Tuman. “Wide sandy beaches are our best asset. Not only
November 26, 2012 and sand placement from the ocean certified
do they afford our residents and visitors with recreation and
dredge ceased on January 9, 2013.
access to the ocean, they also protect
Approximately 566,244 cubic yards of sand
our properties from storm damage.
was dredged from the New River Inlet
Economically, they attract visitors from
channel increasing its depth to 17 feet and
all over the country and globe. They
its width to 500 feet. The sand removed
spend money here and help our local
from the channel was used to rebuild 1.5
and state economy.”
miles of the beach on the north end of
“The experience of Hurricane Sandy is
Topsail Island. Prior to the project, shoaling
well documented,” Tuman added.
of the narrow and shallow draft inlet was a
“Beaches that are nourished save
constant problem for boat navigation and
money for the Federal and State
the location of the inlet channel resulted in
government and avoid the stress and
serious erosion problems for the adjacent
misery associated with the destruction
beach and oceanfront properties. The
of private property and public
photos to the right illustrate the problem
Before and after aerial photos taken of the north end of Topsail Island
infrastructure. A State shoreline
(November
20,
2012
&
March
20,
2013).
and the improvement that has been made
Photos courtesy of Aero Photo www.aerophoto.com
protection program is wise public
with the completion of work.
policy and is needed in North
According to Robert Neal of Coastal
Carolina.”
Planning and Engineering (CP&E), the firm
The New River Inlet Channel
which designed the project, the intent of the
Realignment project was the first
project design is to provide wave and
phase of a five phase plan proposed by
current protection to the north end of North
CP&E that will bring the Town into
Topsail Beach and the sand placed on the
compliance with FEMA’s requirements
beach will provide erosion mitigation. “The
for an engineered beach. The Town will
initial realignment was a successful venture
now be eligible for federally funded
that came not a moment too soon. The
beach restoration caused by major
erosion protection is evident for the
storm events. The work was completed
structures severely threatened prior to
by Marinex Construction. Theirs was
construction. I’m also confident future
the lowest bid at $5.6 million, which is
performance will show additional
below the $6.5 million estimated cost for the project. The project
recreational and erosion mitigation benefits created by realigning
was financed from the Town’s existing beach fund and the rest
the channel, said Neal.”
from special obligation bonds.
(continued on Page 2)
1
(Continued from Page 1)
Easements
The Town will be sending easement documents to oceanfront
property owners in Phases 2 through 5 (within the next month). The
Town needs signed and notarized easement documents returned as
soon as possible. This easement document would allow the Town
and its representatives, agents, and equipment to enter the portion
of the oceanfront properties that need to be accessed to perform
beach maintenance activities, to include the Town’s Shoreline
Protection project and any future emergency sand pushing/dune
maintenance projects the Town may approve. This document would
eliminate the need to use “Right of Entry” agreements for each dune
maintenance event and will be transferred with change of property
ownership.
What’s Next?
The Town has scheduled public hearings for June 17, 2013
beginning at 9:00 at Town Hall to hear comments from the public
on the creation of four municipal service districts for Phases 2
through 5 of the Town’s Shoreline Protection Program. The
municipal service districts will make the Town eligible to utilize
special obligation bonds to partially or fully finance the rest of the
Town’s Shoreline Protection Program. Coastal Planning and
Engineering has provided the Town with preliminary plans to finish
the remainder of the Town’s shoreline and the Town has given the
coastal engineering firm the authority to perform pre-construction
surveys, obtain necessary changes to the Town’s construction
permits, and to prepare final construction plans and specs for bid.
The estimated cost for a Phase 2-5 Shoreline Protection Project is
$27 million. When completed, the entire Town will have a FEMA
qualified beach that would be eligible for federally funded sand
replacement or storm emergencies per FEMA’s Disaster Assistance
Fact Sheet DAP9580.8 - Eligible Sand Replacement on Public
Beaches.
Outside Financing
The Town continues to work on getting financial assistance from
the State and Onslow County, but if the Town cannot get outside
assistance it is working on obtaining funding with Special
Obligation Bonds to pay for the remainder of the Town’s beach
strand. The goal is to get as much of the Town completed as
possible to reduce the cost of mobilizing the dredging operations
which can be a large part of a beach project’s expense.
November 30, 2012 New River Inlet Channel Realignment Project— Local filmmaker, Dr. Lou Buttino
and his cameraman filming for a short video the Town will be releasing about its project on YouTube.
A link will be posted on the Town’s website.
OTHER TOWN NEWS
Board of Aldermen Appoints New Town Manager
Dune Maintenance Activities
The Town of North Topsail Beach Board of
Aldermen appointed Mr. Stuart Turille as
its new Town Manager at its regular
meeting on March 7, 2013. Mr. Turille
most
recently
served
as
Town
Administrator for St. Pauls, North Carolina
where he managed five departments and
was responsible for successfully obtaining
approximately $2 million in grants for the
town within five years.
Sand dunes can provide substantial protection from storminduced erosion. For that reason, protecting the existing
dunes and building large dunes with dune vegetation and
sand fencing are useful shoreline management practices. The
stems of dune vegetation slow the wind near the surface,
trapping the wind-blown sand. When the dune plant traps
sand, it stimulates growth through the accumulating sand that
would kill many other plants, ensuring that the plant remains
a continuing sand trap for building dune elevation. Sand
fences can be useful in trapping sand, like the stems of dune
plants, sand fences slow the wind velocity near the surface
until it can no longer move the sand and it accumulates
around the base of the fence. Like dune plants and dunes in
general, sand fences function with the wind and are subject to
the whims of waves.
Mr. Turille’s professional goal is to work with a coastal community
with the understanding that they have unique issues from inland
communities such as beach nourishment, hurricane preparedness,
seasonal tourism, and absentee property ownership. He has prior
coastal experience having previously worked for Broward County,
Florida. “I’ve just always had a dream to be a coastal manager, and
work on beach nourishment, hurricanes, how you protect the
coast, how you develop the coast, and how you protect the
natural aspect of it while balancing out with tourism and the
interests of those who own land along the shore and coastal
waterways,” said Turille.
Early this year, the Board of Aldermen authorized sea oat and
sand fencing cost share programs. Participation in these
programs was strong this year as the Town experienced
several strong nor’easters which impacted many areas of the
Town’s dune system. The Town was able to obtain a CAMA
permit, which private property owners could operate under,
to perform sand pushes on their oceanfront property. Later
on in the season the Town approved a Town-funded sand
push for areas of the dune system most impacted by the
seasonal storms.
(continued on Page 4)
Mr. Turille holds a Master of Public Administration from Florida
State, a Master of Arts in International Affairs from George
Washington University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English
from the University of Virginia.
Mr. Turille will began working for the Town of North Topsail Beach
on April 1st, 2013.
2
COASTAL BARRIER RESOURCES ACT NEWS
CBRA BILL IS IN BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS
HR 187 and S 533
A Bill to Correct the Boundaries of the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System Unit L06, Topsail, N.C.
Representative Walter B. Jones introduced HR 187 on January 4, 2013 and Senator Kay Hagan introduced S 533 on March 13,
2013. They had both previously introduced bills (HR 4311 and S 3561) and had to re-introduce them in the current session of
Congress. This is as far as legislation on the Town’s CBRA bills have gotten thus far. The last notification that the Town
received indicated that U.S. Fish and Wildlife Director, Mr. Daniel Ashe has been notified of an upcoming House
subcommittee hearing (the subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs) and that he is expected to
provide testimony on all of the current legislation dealing with CBRA changes, including L06. The Mayor and Town Manager
have contacted Director Ashe to offer assistance with his preparation for the hearing. Mayor Tuman has also drafted a
statement for the hearing and will travel to D.C. to testify when the need arises. Mayor Tuman’s statement and other
information on CBRA can be found on the Town’s website at ntbnc.org (Living Here—CBRA).
The Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA) was passed in 1982 as an effort to discourage development in areas where
infrastructure and homes had not yet been established. The Town had existing infrastructure and citizen volunteer Gene
Graziosi was instrumental in finding the records to prove this fact and helped present the findings to U.S. Fish & Wildlife and
our representatives in Congress. The current CBRA zone designation includes approximately 70 percent of the Town’s land
mass and those owning property in the CBRA zone are not eligible for flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance
Program (NFIP).
Senator Hagan’s press release on the introduction of the bill reflected the Senator’s thoughts on the Town’s need to have this
legislation enacted. “This mistake has burdened the residents of North Topsail Beach for far too long," said Hagan. "For over
30 years North Topsail Beach homeowners have unfairly been forced to rely on costly private flood insurance to protect their
homes. Replacing this inaccurate map would save these families thousands of dollars a year."
UPCOMING EVENTS
2013 Earth & Surf Fest
Saturday, July 6th - North Topsail Beach
Beach Access #2 - 2950 Island Drive
The Earth & Surf Fest is an Environmental Awareness
event that promotes Environmental Stewardship. This
Green event will include a surf competition, SUP & Beach
Yoga, a Surf, Sun, & 5K Run, Beach Cleanup, Booths,
Exhibits, and Live Entertainment!
For more information go to www.earthandsurffest.com.
2013 Ocean City Jazz Festival
Saturday, July 6th - North Topsail Beach
2649 Island Drive
The Ocean City Jazz Festival is a one-day concert event
which includes tasty foods, live entertainment, and
recreational activities for kids of all ages.
The artist line-up includes: The John Brown Quintet, The
Stanley Baird Group, and Kim Pacheco with Richard Harris White, Jr. The Ocean City Jazz Festival is
supported by the North Carolina Arts Council and sponsored by the Town of North Topsail Beach
For more information and tickets go to www.oceancityjazzfest.com.
3
Dune Maintenance Activities (continued from Page 2)
To the right:
One of the
Hatteras ramps
under
construction.
Each year the Town’s beach strand is impacted by
seasonal fluctuations—varying weather and storm
patterns which cause seasonal fluctions in the beach
width. These primarly occur between late fall and
early spring as a series of storms with higher velocity
winds from the northeast or “northeasters.” These
storms happen all along the North Carolina coast.
These ramps allow
for pedestrian
traffic over the
dune in limited
areas, protecting
the new dune and
its vegetation.
These offshore storms cause larger waves and small
storm surges that erode the berm. Although one
storm may not be particulary destructive, they come
frequently enough that the berm does not have
enough time to recover during the periods of time
when the waves are smaller in between storms.
During the summer there are fewer and smaller
storms and the berm is usually wider than during late
fall and early spring. Although seasonal fluctuations
can be rather large in scale, the changes in beach
width are usually not considered to be erosion. As
long as the sand returns in the summer the loss of
berm and the results of the waves cutting in to the
vegetation line should not worry homeowners.
Sand will pass
through the ramp
allowing the dune
to build up
underneath it.
Dune Maintenance Policy
At the April 9, 2013 Board of Aldermen retreat the
Board discussed a “dune maintenance policy.” The
result of the discussion:
1. The Board decided that the Town will pursue
obtaining easements for the remainder of the Town.
This will eliminate the need to obtain right of entry
documents for each storm protection and dune
maintenance event.
2. The Board will pursue getting a CAMA permit for
sand pushing at all times. This permit will cover any
sand push within the Town (private owner or Townfunded).
3. The Board indicated that property owners are
responsible for dune maintenance UNLESS the Board
takes action to do a Town funded push or cost
sharing program (sea oats/sand fencing). The Board
will have to make its decision no later than the
February regular meeting.
4. Town Staff was instructed to contact contractors
who will do beach pushing well in advance of the
nor’easter season to have a list of qualified
contractors and to make sure that the contractors
know what is expected of them when they perform
the work.
Understanding the seasonal loss of sand should help
determine where sand pushing (dune building) is
going to be successful. In most cases, dune building
should take place when property protection is the
goal. In the past the Town has received emergency
funding for sand pushing after a FEMA qualified event
and when emergency management officials have
determined that it is necessary to maintain the dunes
to prevent property damage if storms arrive back to
back.
North End Dune
Before the New River Inlet Channel Realignment
Project took place, there was no existing frontal dune
protecting the properties north of the Topsail Reef
condominium complex. A new dune was created
during the project, in part to prevent the slurry
material coming out of the dredge pipe from washing
out the existing sand under the oceanfront homes.
Easement documents will be mailed to oceanfront
property owners within the next month. If you
receive them, please sign them, have them notarized
and return them to Town Hall as soon as possible.
Most of the information for this article came from
“The Dune Book” by Spencer Rogers and David Nash.
A pdf version of this book can be accessed online at:
h ttp : //www.n cs eagran t.o rg/i m ages /s to ri es /
ncsg_pdf/documents/products/books/
dune_booklet.pdf.
After the project was completed, the CAMA (Coastal
Area Management Act) division of the NC
Department of Environment & Natural Resources
notified the Town and property owners that a
development moratorium (no new development—
only repairs will be allowed) will be in place until the
new dune is an established stable frontal dune
(vegetated). Also, the new dune is now considered
State-owned property (per N.C.G.S. 146-6(f)). In an
effort ensure the dune becomes established, which
can take from 18 months to two years, the Town
decided to put in place a plan to add vegetation, sand
fencing, and Hatteras ramps to the new dune. This
project is near completion.
If you have any questions about dune maintenance or
the easement documents, please contact Carin
Faulkner, Town Clerk at (910) 328-1349 ext. 25 or
[email protected].
4
HEALTH & SAFETY
Swimming The water and air temperatures are rising and summer is on its way. Again this year, the Town
expects that large crowds will be coming to enjoy our town’s beautiful shoreline beach. Before you go
swimming, there are some basic safety tips to keep in mind to have a safe and enjoyable beach day.
First of all, the best defense against drowning is to learn how to swim. If you are a non-swimmer, beware
that you don’t take an inflatable raft or other flotation device into deep water where you are at risk should
you fall off. Secondly, many drownings involve single swimmers. Therefore always swim with others who
could help should you need assistance.
Finally, familiarize yourself with the dangers of rip currents and what you should do if caught in one.
Instructions for dealing with rip currents can be found at many beach accesses, online, and elsewhere.
Enjoy yourself but take all necessary precautions when swimming.
House Numbers on Ocean Side The Town’s public safety officials strongly encourage oceanfront property
owners to install house numbers on the oceanside of their homes. This will help public safety personnel
locate beachgoers quickly during an emergency (see picture below).
Dogs At the Beach & Common Areas NTB prides itself on
being a dog friendly beach, but in order for it to remain that
way, the Town reminds dog owners to please clean up after
your pets. Also, make sure that you keep your pet on a leash
for the safety of others. The fines for not having your dog on
a leash and failing to pick up dog waste are $100 per incident.
If you have a dog friendly rental unit, please let your renters
know about the Town’s ordinances and encourage them to
comply.
Grills & Bonfires Charcoal grills and bonfires are prohibited
on the public beach strand, other grills may be allowed with
permssion from the Fire Marshal or Assistant Fire Marshal.
Charcoal burners and other open-flame cooking devices are
not allowed to be operated on combustible balconies or
within 10 feet of combustible construction, with the
exception of:
one and two family dwellings, where buildings, balconies and
decks are protected by an automatic sprinkler system, and LP
gas cooking devices having LP gas container with water
capacity not greater than 2 1/2 pounds (North Carolina Fire
Prevention Code 308.1.4 Open-flame cooking devices).
This means that the use of grills are not allowed at triplexes,
condos, or quadraplexes.
Installing numbers on the oceanside of your property
can help public safety personnel locate beachgoers in
an emergency.
Many of the Town’s condo complexes have common areas that are equipped with grills for use of residents
and visitors. If you have a rental unit where grills are prohibited please let your renters know. If you have
any questions about the use of grills or open fires with the Town of North Topsail Beach please call
910-328-2200.
NTB LOGO T-SHIRTS, SWEATSHIRTS, AND HATS FOR SALE AT TOWN HALL
North Topsail Beach logo t-shirts (now in youth sizes), sweatshirts, polos, and hats are for
sale at Town Hall for only $12 - $28 each. There are several colors to choose from.
The proceeds will benefit the Beautification Fund which goes to purchase plants and other
items for beautification projects for the Town.
5
IMPORTANT FLOOD INFORMATION
The greatest flood threats come from hurricanes, seasonal
storms, and seasonal high tides. The Town of North Topsail
Beach is located on a barrier island bordered by the Atlantic
Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway, thus making it vulnerable
to flooding. Previous hurricane forces have reached category 4
levels, (Hazel – 1954 and Fran 1996). Fran's 12 foot storm surge
created a 100-foot wide inlet through Topsail Island and eroded
the beach by as much as 40 feet. This lead to most of the
oceanfront homes being destroyed. North Topsail Beach was
particularly hard hit, with up to 90% of the homes receiving at
least some damage.
Please remember, we have limited resources and during
inclement weather we are being summoned to assist in
numerous other areas of the Town. We strongly suggest you
take the time to formulate a family evacuation plan. In a flood
emergency, the following precautions should be taken only if
time permits:
FLOOD WARNING SYSTEM
1.
Turn on battery operated radio to get the latest emergency
information.
2. Fill containers with an adequate source of drinking water.
3. Turn off all utilities.
4. Move valuable papers and objects to higher elevations
(shelves, attics, etc.).
5. Bring outdoor items into the garage so that they don’t
become floating debris.
6. Take necessary medications with you.
7. Do not walk through flowing water.
8. Do not drive through flooded areas.
9. Stay away from power lines and electrical wires.
10. Review evacuation plan and have your Re-entry pass in
your car.
Joint action is required between all town departments and with
Onslow County Emergency Operations Center in order to
maximize resources and support for the safety of the citizens of
the Town of North Topsail Beach. To help protect its citizens, the
Town has developed and continues to update its Flood Warning
System. Through this system, our Police and Fire Departments
will attempt to give as much warning time as possible. Citizens
are alerted through a multimodal Connect-CTY service, via voice
and text messages—quickly and efficiently. This system is a
significant enhancement to existing means of communication
and is supplemental to, not a replacement for, the systems we
have used in the past. TV, radio and our Town web site will
continue to broadcast important announcements.
Flood warnings are forecasts of impending storms and are
broadcast to the public by the NOAA Weather Radio,
commercial radio and TV stations, and through local emergency
agencies. These warnings are intended to provide individuals
with properties in threatened areas with opportunities to
prepare, protect, and lessen their exposures to damages from
flooding by establishing time frames and levels of flooding
expected. The following stations service the local area:
The Town will be conducting two public awareness seminars
annually covering the topics of flood warnings and flood safety
and hurricane preparedness. For further information
concerning seminar times and dates, contact NTB Fire Chief at
910 328 2200.
FLOOD INSURANCE
RADIO: NOAA Weather Radio Frequency 162.550 MHz
Properties located within the corporate limits of the town of
North Topsail Beach, N.C. and subject to federally supported
mortgages are required to be protected with flood insurance.
Flood insurance is particularly important and may be required as
a condition of your mortgage if you live in a Special Flood Hazard
Area (SFHA). The (SFHA) is the area that the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) has determined will be flooded
during a storm that has a 1% chance of occurring in any given
year, also known as the 100-year flood. The average home has a
26% chance of experiencing a flood during the life of a 30-year
mortgage. Maps showing the flood areas, as well as elevation
certificates, are available from NTB Planning Department.
WGNI 102.7 GNI*WJNC 1240 AM *WKOO 98.7 FM
*WXQR Rock 105.5 WJCV 1290 AM
TELEVISION:
Ch
Station local
3
6
7
8
9
10
12
19
WWAY - ABC Wilmington
WECT - NBC
Wilmington
WITN - NBC
Greenville
WSFX - FOX
Wilmington
WNCT - CBS
Greenville
WILM-LP - CBS Wilmington
WCTI - ABC
New Bern
The Weather Channel Basic
INTERNET: ntbnc.org
It is important to note that your homeowners insurance may
not cover damage caused by flooding. There is normally a 30-day
waiting period before flood insurance goes into effect. Federal
flood insurance is available in a CBRS areas of the town, if the
subject building was constructed (or permitted and under
construction) before the CBRS area's effective date. Property
owners considering flood insurance should consult their local
insurance agents or brokers for details regarding qualification
requirements, coverage and cost.
www.noaa.gov
You may sign up for notification through the town’s ConnectCty service online at the Town’s website ntbnc.org or contact
Town Hall at 910 328 1349 for assistance.
FLOOD SAFETY
The following chart lists the amounts of maximum coverage
If public safety personnel deem it necessary, notification to
evacuate will be given. Residents will be advised to move to a
(Continued on page 7)
6
If you own property within the corporate limits of North Topsail Beach…
safe area before access is cut off by floodwaters. State Road
1568 and Highway 210 will serve as the primary evacuation
routes out of North Topsail Beach, as posted on DOT Highway
signs. Highway 210 on the western side connects with Highway
17 to Jacksonville or Wilmington, Highway 210 on the southern
side intersects with Highway 50 (Surf City) and then westward to
Highway 17 at Holly Ridge.
LOCAL FLOOD HAZARD



...then you are in a designated flood hazard area and your property is subject to flooding.
(Continued from page 6)
available to property owners within the corporate limits of the
town of North Topsail Beach, N.C.
BUILDING COVERAGE
Single Family Dwelling … ................................$250,000.00
Other Residential ....... ............................... ....$250,000.00
Non-residential .......................................... ....$500,000.00
Small Business .......... ............................... ......$500,000.00
CONTENTS COVERAGE
Residential .............. .......................................$100,000.00
Non-residential ..............................................$500,000.00
Small Business .......... .................................. ...$500,000.00
NATURAL & BENEFICIAL FUNCTIONS
NTB floodplain areas that are in a relatively undisturbed state
such as marshlands, well vegetated sand dunes, restricted shore
zones and federally renourished beach strands provide a wide
range of benefits. These benefits take many forms:
Retrofitting is a different approach from the other ways
because the property itself remains subject to flooding while the
building is modified to prevent or minimize flooding of habitable
space. There are six ways to retrofit. Whichever way you
choose, the goal is to provide the best protection so your
residence will be spared or suffer only minimal damage the next
time a flood or other disaster strikes, say the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) .
5.
6.
7.
Natural flood and erosion control: Providing flood storage
and conveyance, reduce flood velocity, controls erosion of
beach front structures.


Water quality: Filters nutrients and impurities from runoff.

Biological resources: Supports high rate of plant growth,
provides breeding and feeding grounds and enhances
water fowl habitat.
Ground water recharge: Reduces frequency and duration
of surface flow.
Societal resources: Provides open space and aesthetic
pleasures and in areas of scientific study, provides
opportunities for environmental research.
If unauthorized activities are observed please contact NTB
Planning Dept located at 2008 Loggerhead Ct. or phone 910328-1349.Your cooperation and assistance in code enforcement
activities is appreciated in helping the Town protect the natural
and beneficial functions of our floodplains.
FLOODPLAIN DEVELOPMENT PERMITS
All properties located within the corporate limits of the town of
North Topsail Beach, N.C. are located in the floodplain on the
community’s flood insurance rate map and are subject to state
and local regulations. A Floodplain Development Permit is
required prior to the commencement of any development
activities. Contact NTB Planning Department before you build,
fill or otherwise develop your property.
Evaluating your own situation will help you decide which works
best for you. Here are the six ways to retrofit:
4.


Whatever you decide to do, check with NTB Planning
Department before you start any work rebuilding. Local
ordinances and codes determine in large part what you can and
cannot do - and what you should do.
3.
Create floodway openings in non-habitable areas such as
garage doors.
Seal off or backflow valve on sewer lines to the dwelling to
prevent the backflow of sewer waters.
Publications and assistance in the areas mentioned are
available from the NTB Planning Dept located at 2008
Loggerhead Ct. or phone 910-328-1349.
Every year, flooding causes more property damage in the
United States than any other type of natural disaster. While
recent construction practices and regulations have made new
homes less prone to flooding, many existing structures remain
susceptible. Throughout the country there is a growing interest
from property owners to develop practical and cost effective
methods for reducing or eliminating exposures to flooding.
Several effective ways include retrofitting, grading a yard,
correcting local drainage problems and such emergency
measures as moving furniture and sandbagging. Measures to
protect against high winds are installing storm shutters and
reinforcing garage doors.
2.
Elevate furniture above flood protection levels.

PROPERTY PROTECTION MEASURES
1.
Sand bagging to reduce erosion and scouring.
Elevation - Raising your house so the lowest floor is above
the base flood level.
Wet flood proofing - Allowing floodwater to enter the
uninhabited parts of the house. This equalizes the water
pressure inside and outside the house and greatly reduces
the chance of structural damage.
Relocating - Moving your house out of the floodplain to
higher ground.
Dry floodproofing - Sealing your house to keep floodwaters
from entering.
Levees and floodwalls - Building a floodwall or levee
around your house to keep out floodwaters.
Demolition - Tearing down your house and either
rebuilding - with appropriate floodproofing - on the same
property, or building a house somewhere else.
In the event of pending flood threats it is always advisable
to take the following emergency actions:
NTB Planning Dept (upon request by calling 910-328-1349) will
make site visits to meet with property owners regarding flood
protection assistance. This assistance includes information on
historical flood data, floodproofing/retrofitting techniques, etc.
Before undertaking development, a builder must secure the
necessary permits from the town’s Planning Dept specifically
covering the activity.
Development activities include but are not limited to the
following: Man made changes to improved or unimproved real
estate not limited to buildings or other structures, mining,
dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation, or drilling
operations.
If unauthorized activities are observed please contact NTB
Planning Dept located at 2008 Loggerhead Ct. or phone 910(Continued on page 8)
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(Continued from page 7)
North Topsail Beach is strictly prohibited according to Section
Sec. 7-266 of the NTB Town Code. Trash, leaves, dirt, and any
liquid other than water should under no circumstances be
dumped in sewers, streams or the estuary. Improper dumping
can be harmful because all of the storm water drains and
streams eventually run together into streams and the estuary.
Any pollutants or other items dumped into the systems will
contaminate the system and may plug up the storm sewer
systems which could result in flooding. Additionally, improper
dumping can result in reductions in water quality, fish, and
other animal populations in our sensitive environment. Protect
our natural resources and protect yourself from flooding due
to drain blockage by reporting illegal activities to NTB Planning
Dept located at 2008 Loggerhead Ct. or phone 910-328-1349.
328-1349.
SUBSTANTIAL
IMPROVEMENT
REQUIREMENTS
Substantial improvement shall
mean any repair from damage or
destruction,
reconstruction,
improvement, or additions of a
structure, the cost of which equals
or exceeds 50% of the assessed
tax value of the structure as is
listed by the Onslow County Tax
Office or by a certified appraisal.
The assessed value of the
structure shall be determined
before the improvement is
started, or if the structure has
been damaged and is being restored, before the damage or
destruction occurred.
FLOOD DAMAGE PREVENTION & MAP INFORMATION SERVICE
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is a voluntary
program based on a mutual agreement between the Federal
government and the local community. The Town of North
Topsail Beach participates in the Community Rating System
(CRS) as one of its efforts to reduce the potential losses due to
flooding for its citizens. This program, created by the NFIP,
encourages communities to become proactive in their flood
management planning activities.
FEMA will make available federally backed flood insurance and
Federal Disaster Assistance providing the Town agrees to adopt,
implement and enforce a Flood Damage Prevention
Ordinance that meets or exceeds FEMA regulations. A
floodplain development permit is required for all development
within FEMA mapped regulated floodplains.
The FEMA Elevation Certificate is an administrative tool of the
National Flood Insurance Program. It is used for rating flood
insurance policies, certifying building elevations and ensures
compliance with the local flood ordinance. It is also used in
support of Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) revisions and
amendments. All elevation certificates should have an original
surveyor or engineer’s signature and seal.
The percentage of substantial improvement shall be counted
cumulatively for a period of not less than five years for
improvements, modifications, additions and reconstruction.
Storm damage caused by acts of God or other natural causes is
based on a per event cost of repair.
This requirement does not include either: (1) any project or
improvement of a structure to correct existing violations of state
or local health, sanitary, or safety code specifications which
have been identified by the local code enforcement official and
which are the minimum necessary to assure safe living
conditions; or, (2) any alteration of a historic structure, provided
that the alteration will not preclude the structure’s continued
designation as a historic structure.
For more information on the Town’s Flood Damage Prevention
Ordinance, contact NTB Planning Department at 2008
Loggerhead Ct. or phone 910-328-1349.
DRAINAGE SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
Dumping in the streams, ponds, and the drainage system in
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