If you own a home on Pleasure Island, or you’re shopping for one, flooding is probably already on your radar. What may be less familiar is the planning work Carolina Beach has been doing this year to decide which flood, drainage, and erosion fixes come first. That work reached Town Council this week, and it’s worth understanding because it will shape where public money goes on the island over the next several years.
Here’s what’s happening, what it means for homeowners and buyers, and how to keep an eye on it.
What Is the Resilient Coastal Communities Program?
The N.C. Resilient Coastal Communities Program (RCCP) is run by the state Division of Coastal Management and funded by the N.C. General Assembly and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. It helps coastal towns and counties identify their biggest risks, set resilience goals, and build a list of projects that are ready to compete for funding.
The program moves through four phases:
- Phase 1: a risk and vulnerability assessment that looks at where flooding, erosion, and storms hit hardest.
- Phase 2: a ranked portfolio of projects and policies the community supports.
- Phase 3: engineering and design for the top projects.
- Phase 4: construction and implementation.
According to the state’s program page, Carolina Beach is part of the 2025–2026 group of participants, with a $70,000 award for Phases 1 and 2 and Coastal Protection Engineering as its assigned contractor.
Where Carolina Beach Is in the Process
The town has spent 2026 gathering input. WECT reported on Sept. 9, 2026, that officials would present draft findings and concepts at a public meeting at Town Hall on Sept. 16. Later that month, Port City Daily reported on Sept. 23 that residents could rank 19 potential projects through a survey that closed Sept. 25. Those projects address stormwater flooding, shoreline erosion, sea-level rise, and risks to infrastructure.
The survey was promoted by the town together with the Northend Flood Mitigation Alliance, a community group focused on reducing how often the north end floods and how long water sits in the streets. Port City Daily also noted that the town adopted Resolution No. 26-2359 in September, recognizing the need for flood mitigation and the role residents play in identifying problem spots.
Most recently, Port City Daily’s Oct. 26 government agenda listed a Carolina Beach Town Council workshop on Tuesday, Oct. 27, that included a discussion of RCCP Phases 1 and 2. That’s the step where community feedback starts turning into a finished resilience strategy and a prioritized project list.
Why the Timing Matters
Ranking projects isn’t just a planning exercise. The state is currently accepting applications for RCCP Phase 3 (engineering and design) and Phase 4 (construction), with $2.5 million available across both and applications due Nov. 10, 2026, per the Division of Coastal Management. No local match is required. Towns generally need a ranked, community-backed list before they can compete well for this kind of money, so a finished Phase 2 puts Carolina Beach in a better position for future rounds.
What It Means for Homeowners
For owners, this process is the clearest window into where drainage and shoreline work is headed. A few practical takeaways:
- Watch which areas rise to the top. Once the final strategy is presented, look at whether your street or neighborhood is near a priority project. Improvements to stormwater systems can reduce nuisance flooding over time, though projects take years to design, fund, and build.
- Keep your own records. If your street floods during heavy rain or king tides, dated photos are useful for your own insurance file and for town staff who are mapping problem areas.
- Don’t assume a plan changes your insurance. A resilience strategy on its own doesn’t change your flood zone or your premium. Flood insurance pricing depends on your policy, your property, and FEMA and insurer rules, so talk with your agent before making decisions based on planned projects.
What It Means for Buyers
If you’re considering a home in Carolina Beach, this is a good time to ask sharper questions:
- Check the property’s flood zone on the N.C. Flood Risk Information System and request a flood insurance quote early, before you’re under contract if you can.
- Review the seller’s disclosure statement for flood history and any past claims, and ask about drainage on the street itself.
- Visit during or after a heavy rain if possible. A street that drains in an hour lives very differently from one that holds water for a day.
- Follow the town’s final RCCP strategy. Knowing which fixes are planned for a neighborhood, and which aren’t, helps you weigh one block against another.
Neighbors Are Doing the Same Work
Carolina Beach isn’t alone. The state’s 2025–2026 participant list also includes New Hanover County, the City of Wilmington, Pender County, Oak Island, Holden Beach, Shallotte, and Southport. If you own or are shopping across the Cape Fear region, each of those communities is building its own risk assessment and project list, and those documents are worth reading when they’re finished.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the resilience plan lower my flood insurance?
Not by itself. The plan identifies and ranks projects; it doesn’t change flood maps or insurance rates. Some completed projects and floodplain policies can affect risk and community ratings over time, but ask your insurance agent about your specific property.
When will projects actually be built?
No construction timeline has been announced. Projects generally still need engineering, design, and funding after Phase 2, which is why the state’s Phase 3 and Phase 4 funding rounds matter.
How can I follow along?
Watch Carolina Beach Town Council meeting agendas and the town’s RCCP project page for the final Resilience Strategy and project portfolio.
Is the north end the only area involved?
No. The north end has an active community group pushing for flood fixes, but the 19 potential projects covered stormwater flooding, erosion, sea-level rise, and infrastructure risks more broadly.
Thinking About Buying or Selling on Pleasure Island?
Flood risk is one of the most important things to understand before buying at the beach, and one of the most common questions buyers ask sellers. We help clients read flood zones, request insurance quotes early, and compare streets and neighborhoods with clear eyes. Talk with Aspyre Collective about buying or selling in Carolina Beach.
