Dare County invites residents, business owners and community stakeholders located within the unincorporated areas of Dare County to participate in a brief public input survey as part of its resiliency planning under the North Carolina Resilient Coastal Communities Program. The survey will help inform the development of a resiliency strategy for unincorporated areas of the county, building on the resilience strategy completed for Hatteras Island in 2022.

As a low-lying coastal community, Dare County faces growing challenges from flooding, hurricanes, erosion and sea-level rise. A resilient future means reducing these risks while protecting homes, businesses, infrastructure, natural resources and economic assets that are central to the county’s identity. Resilience is defined by the program as a community’s ability to prevent, withstand, respond to and recover from disruptions caused by natural hazards.

Through funding from the North Carolina Resilient Coastal Communities Program—administered by the N.C. Division of Coastal Management and supported by the N.C. General Assembly and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation—Dare County is assessing vulnerabilities and identifying priority actions to address both short-term and long-term risks. This planning effort provides a roadmap for future investments that strengthen safety, equity and environmental protection.

Community participation is essential to this process. Local experiences and perspectives help ensure the resiliency strategy reflects countywide priorities and positions Dare County to pursue future funding for implementation. Community members in the unincorporated areas of Dare County are encouraged to take a few minutes to complete the survey by the end of March 2026 and help shape a stronger, more resilient future for Dare County. 

Questions? Please contact Dare County Grants and Waterways Administrator Barton Grover at Barton.Grover@DareNC.gov.