Leland Town Council considers ordinances to prevent development in flood zones

LELAND, NC (WWAY) — It’s been nearly 2 months since Potential Tropical Cyclone 8 dumped close to 20 inches of rain on several areas in the Cape Fear, causing severe flooding.

Some of the homes damaged were in areas known for flooding.

Now Leland Town Council is looking into possible changes to some of its ordinances, which currently allow developers to build in areas that are considered flood zones.

One of the hardest hit areas was the Stoney Creek community, where a large number of houses were flooded due to PTC 8.

Stoney Creek had been built on a floodplain decades ago and saw similar flooding during Hurricane Florence 6 years ago.

Council member Bill McHugh said this is an opportunity to protect future homeowners.

“The best time to act on something like this was 20 years ago, the second best time is today,” McHugh said. “We can’t go back and unbuild these homes, we can’t unflood these homes but what we can do is stop this from happening in the future especially because we see it just keeps getting worse.”

Hunter Gadwill lives in Stoney Creek but didn’t suffer as much damage as some of his neighbors.

He said this proposed change would be supported by everyone who was affected.

“But I’m sure everyone of my neighbors would agree that we wouldn’t wish this on anyone and it definitely seems like a wise proposal not to build in a flood zone, in particular if its an area that experiences repeat flooding, like this one,” Gadwill said.

Leland Town Council will receive more information about possible options and changes during next Monday’s agenda meeting, it isn’t known when any changes would be implemented.

A spokesperson for the Town of Leland said 6 homes in Stoney Creek will be bought back by the state through a buyout grant, stemming from Hurricane Florence.

Work is still being done for any potential buyouts for homes damaged by Potential Tropical Cyclone 8.