North Wake News

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), in collaboration with North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM), is advancing efforts to mitigate flood risks across several communities. A funding of over $3.9 million is being allocated to tackle flooding challenges in Greenville, Fayetteville, and Sanford through infrastructure projects.

"“We know that storms will keep coming with increasing frequency and intensity, and it’s critical that we build more resiliently,”" commented DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson. He emphasized the importance of the partnership with NC Emergency Management in enhancing community safety and reducing flood damage.

The DEQ is integrating its initiatives with NCEM's, utilizing an established Disaster Relief and Mitigation Grant Program that is known for its effective project implementation. NC Emergency Management Director Will Ray highlighted this collaboration, stating, “"The partnership between North Carolina Emergency Management, the Department of Environmental Quality, and these local communities to implement these infrastructure projects is a great example of how utilizing a whole of community approach can mitigate flooding issues at the local level and build stronger, more resilient communities.”"

In Greenville, improvements will be made to drainage systems and stream restoration at the East Firetower Road project within the Tar-Pamlico River Basin. Efforts will include enhancing culverts and employing nature-based solutions to lower flood risks, backed by $1.5 million from DEQ.

Fayetteville's intervention focuses on flooding near Eutaw Creek, part of the Cape Fear River Basin. The project aims to reduce flood risks in a vulnerable residential area by upgrading culverts, with DEQ providing $910,000.

Sanford will see the construction of two box culverts and stream restoration at Little Buffalo Creek under Weatherspoon Street, funded by $1.5 million from DEQ, to address frequent flood issues.

This funding initiative is part of a $96 million allocation by the North Carolina General Assembly for flood resilience projects across six river basins: Cape Fear, French Broad, Lumber, Neuse, Tar-Pamlico, and White Oak. DEQ's Blueprint team is working on expanding similar partnerships to enhance flood resilience.

The Flood Resiliency Blueprint, initiated in 2021, serves as North Carolina’s main framework for flood resilience planning. It helps develop, evaluate, and implement flood mitigation strategies using a decision support tool for local and state actors.

North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM) focuses on strengthening the state's flood resilience through coordination, communication, and collaboration. It manages resources during disasters, oversees hazard mitigation, and develops flood maps and risk management strategies.