Western North Carolina is set to receive significant state funding aimed at mitigating flood risks in several communities. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance infrastructure resilience across North Carolina, focusing on areas prone to flooding.
On Thursday, Governor Josh Stein revealed the details of these projects along the French Broad River in Marshall, a site slated for one of the enhancements. This announcement marks a new phase in the Flood Resiliency Blueprint, a state program dedicated to fortifying river-adjacent infrastructure.
The recent allocation of $990,000 will fund three crucial projects in the western part of the state, which suffered extensive damage during Hurricane Helene. These projects aim to repair and bolster riverbanks and expand floodplain storage capacity. Additional projects across the state were also announced.
“We know that there will be floods in the future, so we’re making smart investments now. To strengthen our river banks and to promote resilience to reduce future flooding impacts,” Governor Stein emphasized in his announcement.
The Flood Resiliency Blueprint is supported by a $76 million budget, sanctioned in 2021 by the North Carolina General Assembly and managed by the Department of Environmental Quality Division of Mitigation Services. As of now, approximately half of the budget has been utilized, according to DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson.
The targeted projects in Western North Carolina are concentrated within the French Broad River basin, covering Haywood, Madison, and Yancey counties. These areas endured substantial flooding due to Hurricane Helene, necessitating urgent intervention. Efforts include reinforcing riverbanks and introducing 25 acre-feet of floodplain storage, which equates to the area of 26 football fields. This additional capacity is designed to mitigate downstream flooding and enhance water quality.
WNC Projects Overview
- Stream restoration in Haywood County: A $100,000 grant to the Southwestern Commission will facilitate the restoration of half a mile of stream channel, the planting of 2.6 acres of streambank vegetation, and the creation of 6 acre-feet of floodplain water storage along the Pigeon River.
- Stream bank reconstruction in Madison County: The Land of Sky Regional Council will receive $789,000 to restore one mile of stream channel, plant 2.75 acres of vegetation, and establish 11 acre-feet of floodplain water storage along the French Broad River.
- Floodplain storage in Yancey County: The Soil and Water Conservation District is allocated $100,000 to restore 1,000 linear feet of stream channel and add 8 acre-feet of floodplain water storage.
Marshall Mayor Aaron Haynie noted the significance of the state grants, saying, “Without state grant money, the project would have been very difficult for the town to have been able to do.” He highlighted the challenges faced due to escalating costs and budget limitations.
The project timeline for Madison County anticipates completion of design and procurement by the end of 2025, with the entire project expected to conclude by October 2028. DEQ has stipulated a three-year completion window for grant recipients.
