Updated flood maps available in Pender County [Video]

PENDER COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) – Pender County is making the latest Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood zone maps available, which are set to take effect Jan. 17, 2025.

You can find the updated maps online here, which will replace old maps in several areas including east of U.S. 421.

“In many areas, the flood zones have expanded due to the increase in the Base Flood Elevation (BFE), which is the elevation of flood water resulting from a 1% annual chance of a storm event. Information about site-specific BFEs can be found on the NC Flood Risk Information System website at https://fris.nc.gov/,” a county announcement states.

The maps will be used to figure out flood insurance costs for property owners as well.

The county will host an informational session on the maps at the Hampstead Annex from 4 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 12 to help teach people about the changes.

“It’s important for us to try …