During a major rainstorm, some areas of Burgaw can experience flooding. To mitigate the damage such events can cause, the town has adopted a Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance and participates in the National Flood Insurance Program.
Background
The Town of Burgaw is located within the Cape Fear River Basin. Burgaw Creek and Osgood Canal are the two major water courses that run through town; both flow to the north where the Osgood Canal flows into Burgaw Creek at the municipal limits. Burgaw Creek continues east just north of Highway 53 crossing under Interstate 40 before turning south and running along Stag Park Road and into the Northeast Cape Fear River.
Special Flood Hazard Area
The Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) is adjacent to these major water courses. The SFHA consists of the floodway and the 100-year flood zone and makes up 14.5% of Burgaw's Municipal and Extra Territorial Jurisdiction or roughly 1,432 acres.
Town of Burgaw's Floodplain Ordinance
The Town of Burgaw's Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance can be found in Chapter 14 of the Unified Development Ordinance.
Flood Development Permits are required for all development within the Special Flood Hazard Area. Development activities include:
- Construction of buildings
- Dredging
- Drilling
- Excavating
- Filling
- Grading
- Mining
- Paving