Old North News

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Flood Resiliency Blueprint has allocated over $3.9 million for three projects in collaboration with North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM). These projects aim to mitigate flooding in the cities of Greenville, Fayetteville, and Sanford, North Carolina.

DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson highlighted the importance of building resilience against frequent and intense storms stating, “Our partnership with NC Emergency Management on these projects will help reduce flooding and damage and make North Carolina a safer place for people to live, work, and raise a family.”

The funding comes as part of a partnership plan leveraging NCEM's Disaster Relief and Mitigation Grant Program, prioritized for its efficiency and sustainability. NC Emergency Management Director Will Ray expressed confidence in the initiative, “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.”

The funding will support the following projects:

- In Greenville, $1.5 million will go towards drainage improvements and stream restoration at the East Firetower Road project, part of the Tar-Pamlico River Basin. The improvements focus on culverts and nature-based solutions to reduce flood risk.

- Fayetteville will receive $910,000 to address flooding around Eutaw Creek, a Little Cross Creek tributary in the Cape Fear River Basin. The project aims to alleviate residential flooding through culvert improvements.

- Sanford will receive $1.5 million for constructing two box culverts and restoring streams at Little Buffalo Creek, located in the Cape Fear River Basin. This project is directed at reducing flooding during heavy rains and aiding local residents and businesses.

These projects are part of a $96 million investment from the North Carolina General Assembly, targeting flood resilience in six river basins across the state.

The Flood Resiliency Blueprint, developed by DEQ's Division of Mitigation Services, serves as a foundational plan for dealing with flooding in North Carolina. It combines scientific research and stakeholder feedback to prioritize and implement effective flood mitigation strategies. Local and state agencies use it to structure resilient actions and fund projects aimed at recovery and risk reduction.

The NCEM plays a key role in enhancing statewide resilience by managing disaster responses, coordinating multi-agency hazard mitigation plans, and overseeing homeland security measures. Moreover, NCEM administers grants, manages hazard maps, and coordinates with federal and neighboring state resources for disaster response.