Governor Josh Stein announced $6 million in grants from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Flood Resiliency Blueprint program to address flood risks across the state. The announcement, made in Marshall, includes support for 11 projects targeting flood mitigation and restoration in the Cape Fear, French Broad, Neuse, Tar-Pamlico, and Lumber river basins.
The funding comes in response to the significant flooding experienced in western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene last fall. Projects will focus on restoring affected areas and increasing the resilience of local communities.
“Last year’s flooding of the French Broad River after Helene is a somber reminder of how damaging flooding can be to an area,” said Governor Josh Stein. “We must stay prepared for future severe weather events, and this funding will help communities become more resilient and less vulnerable to flooding.”
“Recent storm events, including Hurricane Helene, have highlighted the need for continued flood resilience initiatives across North Carolina,” said Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Secretary Reid Wilson. “These targeted investments will strengthen resilience and help local governments reduce the costs, extent, damage, and disruption from flooding events.”
The grants are part of the ongoing Flood Resiliency Blueprint initiative, which was directed by the North Carolina General Assembly. The Blueprint has allocated $76 million to support flood mitigation efforts, such as water retention and floodplain restoration, in several river basins including the Cape Fear, French Broad, Lumber, Neuse, Tar Pamlico, and White Oak.
Projects funded through this round include stream channel restoration, planting of streambank vegetation, construction of bioswales and stormwater wetlands, and the installation of culverts to improve water management. Notable awards include $1.4 million for the Town of Apex’s Beaver Creek project in the Cape Fear River Basin, $789,000 for riverbank restoration in Madison County, and $1.25 million for floodway property restoration in the Town of Nashville.
The North Carolina Flood Resiliency Blueprint was established in 2021 as a comprehensive plan for flood resilience statewide. It uses scientific data and stakeholder input to guide decision-making and provides an online tool for local governments and organizations to plan and fund resilience actions. To date, DEQ has funded 72 Blueprint projects totaling more than $35 million.
