The State of North Carolina has always been vulnerable to hurricanes and flooding. Since 1989, the State has been subject to 14 federally declared disasters, including Hurricane Floyd, which resulted in $3.5 billion in damage and the destruction of 4,117 uninsured/under-insured homes. Hurricane Floyd revealed flood-hazard data and map limitations in the State. After further research, it was noted that 75% of the State's Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are at least 5 years old and that 55% are at least 10 years old.

The State of North Carolina believes that accurate, up-to-date flood hazard information is crucial to protect the lives and property of its residents. FEMA's limited mapping budget has not permitted an adequate response to the mapping update needs, and many counties and communities lack the necessary resources to take on this responsibility themselves. Due to these factors, the State has come to realize the necessity of undertaking this project and becoming the first Cooperating Technical State (CTS).

The goals of the North Carolina CTS Flood Mapping Program include:

Compiling current, accurate, flood hazard data for sound siting and design decisions.

Minimizing long-term flood losses through better floodplain management.

Making FIRMs cheaper and faster to update and providing them in digital format to more easily and efficiently alert property owner of the need for flood insurance.

Using digital data to make more precise flood risk determinations.

Providing 24-hour online access to GIS analysis and planning tools.

Making Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) available for almost any engineering or planning application.