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Currituck to receive $1M grant to raise 7 flood-prone homes

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Aerial view of the flooding in Moyock during Hurricane Matthew. A flood-prone home in this Currituck County community is to be elevated. Photo: Currituck County

Currituck County has been approved for a $1 million grant to elevate seven homes with a history of flooding caused by hurricanes and other storms.

The state and Federal Emergency Management Agency approved the hazard mitigation project grant of $1,040,864 to improve disaster resilience in the coastal county, FEMA announced Thursday.

The seven homes are in Corolla, Barco, Moyock, Grandy and Currituck. Funding through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program became available as the result of a federal disaster declaration following Hurricane Florence in 2018.  

“Currituck County is pleased to accept Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds on behalf of these deserving families,” said Donald I. McRee Jr., interim county manager, in a statement. “The mitigation of repetitive loss properties is a priority of both the Outer Banks Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan and State of NC Hazard Mitigation Plan, and we are grateful for the opportunity to enhance our community resilience to coastal hazards.”

By elevating the homes in a Special Flood Hazard Area to the base flood elevation and local freeboard requirements, the costly repetitive cycle of flood damage and repairs will be interrupted. The elevated structures will be placed on a range of possible foundations, specified by a licensed professional engineer during a feasibility study and may include piles, columns, curtain walls with footings or concrete masonry units.

“The State appreciates continued partnership in assisting all homeowners across the State, especially those impacted so hard by Hurricane Florence. Supporting the elevation of these homes allows us to assist both the homeowners and the county simultaneously,” said Steve McGugan, state hazard mitigation officer. “The next step is for the state and local governments to procure a contractor, which may take several months. Once a contractor is selected, the property owners will be advised of the project timeline.”

FEMA’s cost share for this project is $780,648, or 75%, and the state share is $260,216, or 25%. The federal share is reimbursed to the state which disburses the funds to local governments. 

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds go to projects intended to create long-term solutions to reduce risks from repetitive hazards. A recent study by the National Institute of Building Sciences found that for every dollar spent on federal mitigation taxpayers save $6, according to the state.

For more information on North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Florence, visit NC DPS: Hurricane Florence 2018 and FEMA.gov/Disaster/4393.

About Staff Report

The story was compiled by staff members of Coastal Review.

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