STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES

Kitty Hawk, NC’s Plan for Sea Level Rise and Flood Resilience

Community planners are working to future-proof coastal communities.

By Bri Labbate

Published on August 10, 2025

In Kitty Hawk, a small community in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, rising seas and housing pressures are guiding thoughtful plans for the years ahead.

According to NOAA, the Outer Banks could see 1 to 2 feet of sea level rise by 2050—bringing more flooding, stronger storm surges, and faster erosion. These changes don’t always arrive with a hurricane. The region is known for its sunny day floods, which are expected to become up to ten times more common across the Southeast.

In the spirit of future-proofing, Kitty Hawk created Imagine Kitty Hawk 2050, an update to its Coastal Area Management Act (CAMA) Land Use Plan. Led by Stewart’s Community Planning team, the plan blends hard data with community input to chart a resilient path for the next 25 years.

Why Update the CAMA Plan Now?

When Kitty Hawk adopted its CAMA plan in 2004, rising seas were still a distant concern. Two decades have brought illuminated new priorities: climate change, housing affordability, and aging infrastructure. Meeting state requirements was just the starting point. Kitty Hawk wanted more—a plan built on data and driven by its residents.

Public Input Takes Flight

Community voices shaped all aspects of the plan. A project website hosted updates, surveys, and meeting details, drawing 276 survey responses—nearly 72% from full-time residents. Top concerns included housing affordability, infrastructure, and resilience to storms, flooding, and sea level rise.

The Stewart Community Planning team coordinated three public meetings, and map-based activities invited residents to share what they value and what they fear losing. Stakeholder interviews with local industries echoed concerns about utility resilience, seasonal service pressures, and long-term rental needs. Across the board, people prioritized safe walking and biking connections, preserving the town’s coastal character, and expanding water access.

Though community values shaped the vision, scientific data guided the Future Land Use Map. A 2-foot sea level rise scenario revealed that key backbay areas and infrastructure corridors could face regular flooding in the coming decades. This analysis informed land suitability modeling and long-range recommendations, leading some areas to be reclassified for conservation or adaptation. Combined with local insight, the result is a proactive, reality-based land use framework.

A city view of sea level projections in the next 25 years indicates regular 2ft flooding in most of Kitty Hawk.

Twelve Goals for 2050

The final plan outlines twelve strategic goals, including:

  • Public Access: Expand opportunities to reach the sound, bay, and ocean.

  • Land Use Compatibility: Protect maritime forests and wetlands while preserving Kitty Hawk’s relaxed coastal character.

  • Infrastructure Capacity: Site and improve infrastructure with natural limits and flood risk in mind.

  • Natural Hazards: Continue beach nourishment and assess the long-term viability of vulnerable roads.

  • Housing & Local Concerns: Support affordable housing, enhance recreation, and maintain a family-friendly atmosphere.

Each goal is supported by targeted policies and phased strategies for the decades ahead.

“This wasn’t just about updating a document,” says Andrea Radford, Community Planning Team Lead and project manager for the project. “It was about aligning the community’s values with the realities of a changing coast. Residents understood what was at stake, and they showed up to shape the outcome.”

A Roadmap for Resiliency

As other coastal towns in North Carolina and beyond face similar challenges, Imagine Kitty Hawk 2050 stands out as a model for integrated, community-driven planning. Recently recognized with an APA NC Chapter Marvin Collins Award for Comprehensive Plan (Small Community), the plan pairs technical rigor with local insight and tackles difficult conversations about growth, access, and change head-on.

Already a touchstone for decisions on zoning, infrastructure, and shoreline management, the plan won’t stop the tides from rising—but it gives Kitty Hawk a way to rise to the challenge while preserving its coastal character.

Ready to future-proof your community?

Reach out to Andrea Radford, Community Planning Team Leader, at aradford@stewartinc.com