Ken Henke: Urban development contributing to flooding

Natural habitats have permeable surfaces and native plants that absorb rainfall to help control flooding. The practice of clear cutting and replacing natural vegetation with a sod yard removes the natural absorption that nature provides.

Clear cutting, parking lots, roads, buildings and other nonpermeable surfaces are increasing water runoff that flows toward the coast causing river and low-area flooding. New developments have a collection pond to trap normal rainfall but are not sufficient for high-volume storms.

Future developments need to maximize storm water retention using rain gardens, increasing stream buffers, preserving natural vegetation and not drain marsh lands.

If storm water runoff is not corrected regarding future developments flooding will only increase in eastern North Carolina and disaster relief costs will rise.

This story was originally published October 18, 2016 at 7:29 PM with the headline "Ken Henke: Urban development contributing to flooding."