FEMA Awards Nearly $3M Grant to N.C. County Following Floods

The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved a grant of $2,949,630 to North Carolina ‘s Hyde County whose residents suffered severe flood damage when Hurricane Isabel’s torrential rains drenched the area in September 2003.

Thirty-seven homeowners/occupants will reportedly benefit from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to eliminate repetitive flood damage to their homes.

“Local county officials determined that the elevation of the properties is the best solution to maintain the integrity of these communities,” said Mary Lynne Miller, Acting Region IV director. “These homes will be elevated above the base flood elevation in order to reduce future loss of life and /or property due to a flood event.”

About 700 homes sustained flood damage from Hurricane Isabel, and the HMGP has already reportedly proven to be a viable mitigation alternative.

FEMA’s share covers about 75 percent of the projects’ $2,212,223 cost.

The grant is part of FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), which assists states and local communities in implementing long-term hazard mitigation measures following a major disaster declaration.

Among its goals, the HMGP aims to prevent future loss of lives and property from disasters, implement state or local hazard mitigation plans and provide funding for previously identified mitigation measures that benefit the disaster area.