Governor Josh Stein announced in Woodfin that $5.7 million will be distributed through the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Flood Resiliency Blueprint to support flood risk reduction projects in the French Broad River Basin. Eight projects have been selected to increase floodwater storage, restore floodplains, relocate facilities from high-risk areas, and improve water quality.
“Rebuilding western North Carolina after Helene means rebuilding stronger and smarter to prepare for future storms,” said Governor Josh Stein. “These grants not only rebuild and restore the French Broad River Basin but also help protect the surrounding communities so generations of North Carolinians can live in safety.”
The Flood Resiliency Blueprint has previously allocated $3.16 million for eight long-term resilience projects in the French Broad River Basin during 2024 and 2025. To date, the program has funded a total of 81 projects with more than $40 million.
“Communities throughout our mountains were devastated by Helene, and we know that storms are becoming more intense and more frequent throughout North Carolina,” said DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson. “These Flood Resiliency Blueprint projects will make communities less vulnerable to future flooding in the French Broad River Basin and will help save lives, homes, and businesses. We appreciate the General Assembly’s strong support of the Flood Resiliency Blueprint.”
The NC Flood Resiliency Blueprint is a statewide initiative focused on science-based planning to reduce flood risks by providing local governments with data, tools, and processes for strategic investment in mitigation efforts. The program supports priority projects across several river basins and has received $96 million from the NC General Assembly for implementation.
The following projects were announced:
– In Woodfin, Riverside Park will receive $284,000 for stormwater improvements such as riverbank stabilization and erosion control measures.
– Clyde will use $401,226 to convert buyout properties into a public park space along the Pigeon River designed to manage flooding.
– Canton’s Park Street project gets $450,000 for new community amenities with built-in flood resilience features.
– Restoration work led by Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy at Chestnut Mountain Nature Park in Canton is awarded $470,000 to enhance flood storage and protect infrastructure.
– Haywood County Schools will receive $2 million toward acquiring land for relocating school buildings out of flood-prone areas.
– Black Mountain’s Veterans Park receives $1.65 million for interconnected green infrastructure improvements aimed at reducing downstream flood risk.
– Hendersonville’s Lower Mud Creek project gets $100,000 to restore natural floodplain functions on a 27-acre site.
– Another Hendersonville project secures $356,000 for upgrading municipal stormwater infrastructure.
According to its official website, DEQ supports public education on environmental issues while overseeing regulatory responsibilities across air, land, water, and coastal environments statewide. The agency manages permit issuance, law enforcement related to environmental protection, waste management programs, and water resource oversight throughout North Carolina.
The Flood Resiliency Blueprint was developed following direction from the General Assembly in 2021. It uses scientific analysis and stakeholder input to guide investments that aim to limit both the extent and severity of floods across affected communities.
DEQ maintains its central office at 217 West Jones Street in Raleigh.
