The meetings in Hatteras, Rodanthe and Nags Head are an opportunity for the public to hear from transportation officials possible solutions for a vulnerable stretch of N.C. 12 in Dare County.
flood
Mapping upgrades go live in online flood blueprint tool
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s online tool designed to help local governments, agencies and nongovernmental partners plan and prioritize flood resilience actions now includes new maps for five river basins in Eastern North Carolina.
Federal judge orders FEMA to restore BRIC program
The same federal judge who ruled late last year that the Trump administration unlawfully axed FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program has ordered the agency to reinstate the program and release funds awarded to previously approved projects.
NCDEQ to host online session on flood mitigation Blueprint
The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Flood Resiliency Blueprint program is scheduled to host an online public information session March 25.
Amid record growth, groups protect tracts from development
Population growth on the North Carolina coast has ramped up pressure on conservation groups to acquire and set aside land, such as the more than 2,000 acres in coastal counties recently protected from development, areas with natural landscape features that reduce flood risk, improve water quality and provide vital habitat.
Despite judge’s order, communities in 20 states still waiting
Coastal communities in line for announced federal storm resilience funding, which the administration pulled last year and that a judge last month ordered immediately and, permanently restored, are still wondering when the money will come.
NCDEQ’s staffing cut by more than 30% over 14 years: Report
As North Carolina’s population has grown and the factory farming industry expanded, the state’s environmental agency staff has been slashed by almost a third in less than 15 years.
Climate change compounds challenge to stabilize beaches
Stabilizing Outer Banks beaches is becoming more challenging with the quickly evolving and often unpredictable consequences of a changing climate: Sea levels are increasing faster than projected, storms are intensifying, rainfall is heavier.
Public hearing Tuesday on proposed ‘WOTUS’ definition
A hearing is set for next week on the proposed definition rolled out last month for “Waters of the United States,” which outlines the waterbodies eligible for protection under the federal Clean Water Act, that conservationists warn will leave millions of acres of nontidal wetlands vulnerable to pollution, harm fish habitat and worsen flooding.
UNCW center awarded grant for flood planning, resilience
The Endowment, established from New Hanover County’s sell of New Hanover Regional Medical Center to Novant Health in 2020, has awarded a $500,000 grant to UNCW’s Center for Marine Science to help enhance flood safety and resilience efforts in the county.
Appeals period to begin for Jacksonville’s revised flood maps
Jacksonville recently hosted an informational open house on the proposed updated flood studies and revisions to the 2016 flood insurance rate maps that the city appealed.
Flooding keeps NC 12 closed to traffic as Erin heads out to sea
State transportation crews were clearing N.C. Highway 12 and rebuilding dunes in the wake of Hurricane Erin’s pass offshore, as flooding conditions continued and the road remained closed Friday morning.
Coastal counties seek regional hazard mitigation plan input
The federally mandated Southeastern N.C. Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan, which identifies natural hazard risks and ways to mitigate and respond to those risks, is under review as part of a five-year update.
Proponents of Leland flood zone rules say it’s a moral issue
Advocates of the Brunswick County town’s proposal to strengthen and expand flood zone building rules say officials must ensure they are not putting property owners, emergency personnel in danger.
AG Jackson anticipates legal win over pulled federal funding
Attorney General Jeff Jackson, during a tour of Pollocksville Tuesday, said he is confident that courts will remove a block on grant awards from the administration-axed FEMA program for resilient local infrastructure.
National Weather Service staff to answer hurricane questions
The public is invited to attend one of three community forums, including one Monday in Havelock, to learn more about preparedness and effects and speak with a National Weather Service meteorologist.
