Standard property insurance does not cover flood damage. If your home is located in a federally-designated floodplain, your mortgage company will require that you have flood insurance. If there is a mapped floodplain on your property, it should be shown on your property survey. 

The City of Kinston participates in the National Floodplain Mapping Program, thus flood insurance and federal assistance, such as mortgage loans and grants, are available. The National Flood Insurance Program allows property owners to buy federally-backed flood insurance within participating communities. In return for this protection, communities enact measures to reduce flood risks to new development. Federally-backed flood insurance is available for all buildings in participating communities, whether the buildings are in a regulated floodplain or not. Flood insurance covers direct losses caused by surface flooding. There is a thirty-day waiting period for a flood insurance policy to become effective, so the time to act is now.

The agent who helps you with your homeowners or renters insurance may be able to help you with purchasing flood insurance too. You can only purchase flood insurance through an insurance agent; you cannot buy it directly from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). If your insurance agent does not sell flood insurance, contact the National Flood Insurance Program’s Help Center at 1-800-427-4661 to request an agent referral.

Build Responsibly

ALWAYS acquire building permits and floodplain permits for all development. Use licensed contractors at all times.

If you are considering building in Kinston, check to see if your property is in the floodplain. If so, get a Floodplain Development permit from the Planning Department page and submit it to the Planning Director, Adam Short.

Article 9 Part IX of Kinston's Unified Development Ordinance describes the rules and regulations of the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinances. Read and follow the instructions if you intend to build or substantially improve your building.

Each situation is different, but there are several methods for you to consider in order to reduce losses at your location including: flood-proofing non-residential buildings, elevating your building so that the lowest floor is two feet or more above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE), demolishing and rebuilding your structure, or purchasing property outside of the floodplain.

The more we learn about flooding and floodplain management, the more we understand how important it is to protect natural floodplain functions. Preserving natural areas in and around the Neuse River can protect residents, prevent damage to property, and support local wildlife. The following are informational resources and strategies about how we can reduce flood damage by preserving the natural floodplain

• Protecting Floodplain Resources is a FEMA resource written to introduce officials and citizens at the local level to a basic understanding of natural resources in floodplains and to offer suggestions for creating strategies for wisely managing these important areas. 
• Neuse River Basin Hazard Mitigation Plan (2017) is a collaboration between Lenoir, Greene, Jones, Pitt, and Wayne Counties to create a plan for reducing the impact of disasters that happen to all residents living near the Neuse River basin.
• Neuse River Basin Flood Analysis and Mitigation Strategies Study (2018) is an updated study of the Neuse River Basin hazards and strategies to reduce the impact of disasters.
• The City of Kinston has an ordinance that prevents dumping any fluid, gas, trash, or other substance into our stormwater structures or streams. Keep our streams clear of debris and trash, to allow water to flow more easily during heavy rain events.