The peaceful River Knolls neighborhood of East Asheville has been transformed into a landscape of uncertainty and distress. Homeowners like Mary Lynn Manns, who once envisioned a lifetime in their idyllic settings, are now grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s devastation.
A decade ago, Manns settled into her two-bedroom sanctuary by the Swannanoa River, unaware of the impending threat. The river, once a tranquil neighbor, swelled to nearly 30 feet during the hurricane, wreaking havoc on her home’s foundation. “The foundations are in bad shape,” Manns explained, questioning the ethics of rebuilding in what is now a designated floodplain.
Back then, FEMA’s maps didn’t classify her area as high-risk, and flood insurance wasn’t required. But now, the river’s relentless encroachment has altered the landscape, even claiming backyards that once flourished with gardens.
In response to such crises, FEMA developed the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. This initiative provides homeowners with options such as selling their properties at pre-storm values, elevating homes on stilts, or relocating them. Yet, Manns remains anxious, having applied for the program last November without receiving any funds.
“We’re trying to be as communicative as we can to homeowners who may be waiting. The reality is we’ve submitted the information for so many of those folks and we don’t have a whole lot of information to share other than to affirm, yes, we have submitted them.”
Matt Calabria, director of Grown NC
State officials have expressed concerns about FEMA’s sluggish response. Over 500 applications worth more than $240 million are in limbo, awaiting FEMA’s approval. Despite allocating $1.5 billion for the program, funds have yet to reach homeowner buyouts, though some have been designated for engineering costs in other communities.
State pressures FEMA for swift action
Governor Josh Stein recently appealed to FEMA for prompt assistance, criticizing delays in the agency’s Public Assistance program. “Further delay of these approvals keeps communities and families in limbo,” Stein noted.
FEMA, however, contends that many applications are “currently ineligible” and refutes claims of a stalled program. There are discrepancies between FEMA’s statements and state officials’ experiences, leading to frustration among affected residents.
“What I have seen and what I’ve heard from my colleagues is there seems to be a general hesitation, a slow down, related to hazard mitigation nationally.”
William Ray, director of North Carolina’s Department of Emergency Management
The debate over the “open space” requirement—mandating land acquired through the program remain undeveloped—hinders progress. State officials seek exemptions to rebuild essential infrastructure, further complicating approval processes.
Financial burdens mount for homeowners
Meanwhile, more than 500 properties await resolution. Homeowners like Manns face mounting financial pressures, juggling mortgage, HOA fees, and rent. “We’re watching our savings just dwindle,” she lamented.
“We’re watching our savings just dwindle and dwindle and dwindle and we’re going, “Oh my God, how much longer can we do this?” Homeowner Mary Lynn Manns
As the state and FEMA navigate this bureaucratic maze, homeowners remain hopeful for a resolution that could alleviate their financial strains and bring stability back to their lives.
