Floodplains

The City's floodplain ordinance prohibits development in designated flood-prone areas to protect property owners and allow those floodplains to function naturally.

Flood insurance and federal assistance such as mortgage loans and grants are only available in communities that participate in the National Floodplain Mapping Program and have a floodplain ordinance that meets federal standards.

Flood Insurance

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 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.


Lexington Flood Tips Brochure

Floodplain Mapping

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) establishes flood zones for higher risk areas. The purpose is to where flood insurance is required. In partnership with FEMA, North Carolina became the first state to assume responsibility for floodplain mapping. The project includes analyzing flood hazards and producing updated, digital flood maps.