January Flood Facts for Fairfield Residents
- Margaret Rose
- 12 hours ago
- 3 min read
NOTE: F.A.C.T.S. is an independent group and does not officially represent or receive endorsement from the POA or The Beacon.
January 31, 2025 – Flood Facts for Fairfield Residents seminar video
Missed the Flood Facts for Fairfield Residents session in the Community Center on
January 25, 2025? Below is a summary of the FACTS event presentations, with a link
to the presentation as it occurred.
Stormwater Committee Chairperson Ray Redniss focused on drainage problems in
Fairfield Harbour, a community built on Eastern Carolina’s flood plain with an aging,
inadequate drainage system. To fully correct all FH flooding problems, he told us, would
cost an estimated $4 -$5 million. However, the POA budget has continued to fund the
corrections for immediate problems. Ray also spoke about the impact of new
construction and the current relationship between the Stormwater Committee and the
Property Control Committee.
Donnie LaVelle, Craven County Planning Department, began his presentation by saying
that to be eligible for any type of disaster assistance, communities must adhere to
FEMA flood development standards. Craven County enforces flood damage prevention
laws and is happy to answer any questions via a simple telephone call. Donnie spoke
about the Community Rating System which recently took FH from a community status
offering a 10% discount on flood insurance to one offering a 15% discount. He
explained Base Flood Elevation standards and an online software tool to determine a
property’s flood zone. He also discussed elevation certificates and provided his contact
information.
Heather Thornburg, a Risk Advisor for Wade Associates, sells and services insurance.
Heather began by saying the purpose of insurance is not to improve an existing
situation but to return the property’s condition to what it was before the event took place.
She also spoke of the importance of elevation certificates and how without them,
intuitive decisions made may or may not be wise. An elevation certificate, on the other
hand, may save money for the insured. No one knows what the weather is going to be
or what FEMA will pay, Heather concluded. “If you don’t know what you have in
insurance coverage, talk to someone who understands the process.”
Betsy DiNardo, Neuse Realty, discussed Flood Disclosure documents as part of real
estate transfer for buyers, sellers and renters. She explained ways to determine the
flood status of a property and how organizations such as MyFloodStatus will offer
reports for a reasonable cost. However, she said, interpretating these reports can be a
challenge. County, insurance, and real estate organizations can supply this information
at no cost. Betsy told us the NC Real Estate Commission’s Residential Disclosure
Statement is now a legal requirement the seller must give to the buyer.
Margaret Rose, President and co-owner of Neuse Realty, explained the NC Realtors
Form 142 regarding flood disclosure for vacant lots. In the 1970’s, FH properties were
sold by the land developer without a “buyback” consideration. In contrast, surrounding
communities required the land to be developed within a specific time frame, usually a
year. Because Fairfield Harbour had no such requirement, land banks began
purchasing lots cheaply from owners who did not build, and eventually sold large
numbers of these lots to home builders. One builder approached the NC Real Estate
Commission complaining that he was not informed of the cost of correcting some of
these lots. Form 142 addresses this. Margaret concluded with a discussion of Form
142 and how it might change future development in existing or new subdivisions.
A Question & Answer session followed during which home owners asked what to do
about flood insurance assessments and asked about problems which arose, particularly
after Hurricane Florence.
Click here to watch a video presentation and learn what experts advise Fairfield Harbour property owners to do now, before the next Hurricane Florence or Helene threatens.
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