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HurricaneFlorence

ReBuild NC Homeowner Recovery Program application period closing April 21

More than 1,100 completed projects to date

RALEIGH, N.C.— North Carolinians whose homes were impacted by hurricanes Matthew or Florence have until 5 p.m. Friday, April 21 to apply for the ReBuild NC Homeowner Recovery Program. Supported by the state’s HUD Community Development Block Grant‒Disaster Recovery funding, the program rebuilds or restores homes for eligible homeowners in counties identified as most impacted and distressed by the two storms. The program has completed 1,103 construction projects to date, making it possible for those families to return to safer, more resilient homes. 

The application period closeout will not impact existing Homeowner Recovery Program awards, ongoing projects, case management or customer service. Current program participants with questions should contact their assigned case manager or call 833-ASK-RBNC (833-275-7262) between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The fastest way to apply to the Homeowner Recovery Program is through the online application. Interested homeowners may also call 833-ASK-RBNC (833-275-7262) to schedule an appointment at the nearest regional ReBuild NC Center. Visit the ReBuild NC website for more information about center locations and hours of operation.  

The Homeowner Recovery Program is administered by the N.C. Department of Public Safety’s Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR). In addition to homeowner recovery, NCORR administers programs that include strategic buyout, mitigation, resiliency, community development and affordable housing. Learn more about NCORR programs at: https://www.rebuild.nc.gov/.

N.C. Office of Recovery and Resiliency seeks public feedback on proposed changes to disaster recovery and mitigation plans

Raleigh, N.C. – The N.C. Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR) is seeking public comment on proposed amendments to three action plans for the use of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) and Community Development Block Grant-Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) funds in areas of the state impacted by hurricanes Matthew and Florence. The proposed action plan amendments include changes to previously approved federally funded programs that support the state’s long-term recovery from storm damage while also building future resiliency.

The proposed amendments are intended to expand programs to help more North Carolinians benefit from ongoing disaster recovery work and provide a more comprehensive approach to mitigating the impacts of future storms. Proposed changes include allocations to the Homeowner Recovery Program, Affordable Housing Development Fund, Public Housing Restoration Fund, Infrastructure Recovery Program, and Strategic Buyout Program, among other updates.

The public comment periods for all three action plans begin Dec. 9 and close at 5 p.m. on the following dates:

  • CDBG-DR Matthew: Monday, Jan. 9, 2023
  • CDBG-DR Florence: Monday, Jan. 9, 2023
  • CDBG-Mitigation: Monday, Jan. 23, 2023

Drafts of the Substantial Action Plan Amendment 10 for Hurricane Matthew funding, Substantial Action Plan Amendment 4 for Hurricane Florence funding, and Substantial Action Plan Amendment 4 for Mitigation funding are available for review online. The public is strongly encouraged to submit comments by email to publiccomments@rebuild.nc.gov. Comments may also be submitted by U.S. Postal Service to NCORR Public Comments, P.O. Box 110465, Durham, NC 27709.

Governor Cooper established NCORR in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence to streamline disaster recovery programs statewide and help communities rebuild smarter and stronger. In addition to disaster recovery and mitigation, the office administers programs that support resiliency, community development, affordable housing, strategic buyout, infrastructure and local government grants and loans. Learn more about NCORR programs at https://www.rebuild.nc.gov/

New homeowner down payment program available in Pender County

North Carolina has a new homeowner downpayment assistance program in 16 Eastern counties that were severely hit by Hurricanes Matthew and Florence. Pender County residents are eligible, as well as Bladen, Craven, Jones, Brunswick, Cumberland, New Hanover Robeson, Cartaret, Duplin, Onslow, Scotland, Columbus, Edgecombe, Pamlico, and Wayne counties.
For more info, click here for more information.

Public invited to submit feedback on regional Climate Change and Natural Hazards Vulnerability Assessments 

Community input sought for Albemarle, Cape Fear, Eastern Carolina and Mid-East regions

RALEIGH, N.C. – The N.C. Office of Recovery Resiliency (NCORR) Regional Resilience Portfolio Program, in partnership with four councils of governments, is requesting public feedback on draft regional Climate Change and Natural Hazards Vulnerability Assessments, which will guide plans for building community resilience. 

The draft regional vulnerability assessments describe the specific impacts of extreme weather events on housing, the environment, and the economy and will be used to create a portfolio of priority community resilience projects. The assessments include regional details about the problems the Albemarle, Cape Fear, Eastern Carolina and Mid-East council of governments regions have experienced in the past and the risks they face in the future due to climate change. These hazards include hurricanes, flooding, wind damage, extreme temperatures, drought and wildfires.

Public input can help strengthen the draft vulnerability assessments for these regions. Residents may have insights about how to sharpen the findings and ensure that they accurately reflect their community and region. The draft assessments and online public comment forms can be found on each region’s webpage:

Albemarle Commission Council of Governments Region
(Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Hyde, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell and Washington counties)
https://www.rebuild.nc.gov/resiliency/resilient-communities/rise/albemarle

Cape Fear Council of Governments Region
(Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover, and Pender counties)
https://www.rebuild.nc.gov/resiliency/resilient-communities/rise/cape-fear

Eastern Carolina Council of Governments Region
(Carteret, Craven, Duplin, Greene, Jones, Lenoir, Onslow, Pamlico, and Wayne counties)
https://www.rebuild.nc.gov/resiliency/resilient-communities/rise/eastern-carolina

Mid-East Commission Council of Governments Region 
(Beaufort, Bertie, Hertford, Martin, and Pitt counties)
https://www.rebuild.nc.gov/resiliency/resilient-communities/rise/mid-east

Comments on the draft assessments may also be submitted by email by to resilience@ncdps.gov with the subject line Vulnerability Assessment. Comments must be submitted by Wednesday, Aug. 17.

The Regional Resilience Portfolio Program is a component of the larger Regions Innovating for Strong Economies and Environment (RISE) Program. RISE is a partnership between NCORR and N.C. Rural Center, in collaboration with the N.C. Councils of Governments. The Regional Resilience Portfolio Program serves nine council of governments regions. A list of counties for each region can be found on the RISE website.

RISE is funded by a $1.1 million U.S. Economic Development Administration grant, with additional support from the N.C. Rural Center and the state’s HUD Community Development Block Grant—Mitigation grant. The Duke Energy Foundation has committed $600,000 to offer Accelerator Grants to the regions for priority projects identified as an outcome of the program. RISE is managed by NCORR, a division of the N.C. Department of Public Safety. To learn more about the program or resilience activities in each council of governments region, visit the RISE website.

Buy-out workshop on Jan. 15

Pender County Planning and Community Development will host an Acquisition “Buy-out” Workshop for victims of Hurricane Florence. The meeting is set for Jan. 15, 6 – 8 p.m. in the Pender County Commissioner Chambers, 805 S. Walker St. in Burgaw.

Please see the recorded video below:

Sign up for STEP Program by Jan. 17, Gov. Cooper Urges Hurricane Florence Survivors

Program Makes Partial Repairs to Damaged Houses so Survivors Can Return Home Sooner

RALEIGH: North Carolinians who are eligible for a special program to provide rapid repairs to homes damaged by Hurricane Florence have until January 17, 2019 to sign up and should not delay, Governor Roy Cooper urged today. The Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power (STEP) program provides temporary, partial repairs at no cost to homeowners so Hurricane Florence survivors can return to and remain in their homes while longer-term repairs continue.

“People pushed out of their homes by Hurricane Florence long to return home, and for eligible homeowners the STEP program can help them get home sooner,” said Gov. Roy Cooper. “Returning home puts families back in their own communities and closer to work and school as they put their lives back together after this devastating storm.”

The STEP program is designed to provide repairs to homes that received approximately $17,000 of damage or less in Hurricane Florence. The program is available in Bladen, Brunswick, Carteret, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Duplin, Jones, New Hanover, Onslow, Pender and Robeson counties.

A total of 15,784 North Carolina storm survivors have been contacted by telephone, text message and postcard to encourage them to apply to participate in the STEP program. Eligible homeowners were selected by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) based on data gathered from survivors who registered with FEMA.

To participate in the STEP program, eligible homeowners must sign a Right of Entry (ROE) form by January 17, 2019.

Once a homeowner completes the form, an inspector will visit the home to assess the damage. For homes confirmed eligible for STEP, the inspector will develop a repair plan. Depending on the level of damage, the repairs will be made by either a volunteer disaster relief group (NC Baptists on Mission or United Methodist Committee on Relief) or a professional contractor managed by the state.

So far, volunteer groups have completed STEP repair work on 20 homes with work in progress on another 31 homes. Work is set to begin soon on hundreds more homes whose owners have already signed up for the program.

The STEP program provides rapid, partial repairs to homes to make them livable and allows survivors to leave temporary housing and return home. The STEP program does not return a home to its pre-storm condition, but it does make it possible for families to return home while long-term repairs take place.

Among the kinds of repairs made through the STEP program:

  • Exterior repairs include secure and watertight doors, windows and roof, and safe entrances.
  • The home’s electrical and plumbing systems will be made safe and operational.
  • Interior repairs include a functional kitchen – including a base cabinet under the sink, a surface to prepare food,, basic refrigeration and cooking surfaces, a working sink – and a functional, private bathroom.

More information about the STEP program is available at www.ncdps.gov/florencestep. Eligible homeowners may also visit the application portal or call (833) 257-1100 Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

“We want to make sure that every homeowner who may qualify for this repair program has the opportunity to do so, but time is running out to sign up,” Gov. Cooper said. “If you’ve been notified that the STEP program may be a good fit to help your family recover from Hurricane Florence, I urge you to apply now.”

The cost of the STEP program is being shared by the State of North Carolina and FEMA. There is no cost to homeowners to participate in the voluntary STEP program.

For survivors who choose to participate in the STEP program, completion of STEP repairs will end their eligibility for a FEMA travel trailer or mobile home and for Transitional Sheltering Assistance to stay in a hotel.

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District by district, storm debris is getting a clean sweep

PENDER COUNTY – All storm-related vegetative debris and construction debris pick-up by DRC, the county’s contractor, has resumed following the holidays.

“The deadline was Dec. 21 for all debris to be placed on the roadway,” said Tom Collins, Pender County Emergency Manager. “The debris is being picked up district by district. Now that we are through the holidays, DRC will have 18 trucks on the roads picking up storm-related vegetative debris and construction debris.”

“Hurricane Florence left behind a tremendous amount of debris,” said George Brown, Chairman of the Pender County Board of Commissioners. “We are working hard to clean the county of storm debris.”

“We are aware of problem areas and illegal dumping,” said David Williams, Pender County Commissioner. “These sites will be cleaned, and illegal dumpers will be prosecuted.”

“Materials brought to the road right-of-way now will be considered illegal dumping,” said Collins. “Contractors dumping shingles, sheetrock, framing materials and repair debris will be fined.”

Private contractors are responsible for disposal of materials at proper landfills. Contractors and residents may also dispose of debris at the county’s convenience sites at Rocky Point, Burgaw, and Hampstead up to 200-lb. per load, per day. Debris weighing over 200-lbs are charged a weigh fee at the Hampstead Transfer Station. The Rocky Point Convenience Center 16232 NC Hwy 210, is open daily 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. and closed Sundays and Wednesdays. The Burgaw Convenience Center, 3088 New Savannah Rd., is open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. The Hampstead Convenience Center and Transfer Station, 250 Transfer Station Rd., is open Mondays through Saturdays, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sundays 1 – 7 p.m.

DRC, the county’s debris contractor, will not accept household trash, roofing materials, concrete or brick, or new construction waste.

DRC is covering the county’s five districts, starting with District 5, then District 4, District 3, District 2 and District 1. Residents uncertain of which district they reside should click on the county link: http://pendercountync.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=49a7e5ccd5834af1912665e99649c908

For questions about debris pick-up, contact DRC, toll free at 1-888-721-4372.

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Distribution of hay and feed

The Eastern NC Equine Emergency Assist, 4101 Blue Clay Rd. in Castle Hayne, is distributing hay and feed for family pets and large animals on Saturday. This is the second Saturday they are distributing items to help families impacted by Hurricane Florence.

Our Animal Shelter Manager Jewell Horton will be on site.

Hazard Mitigation Activities

PENDER COUNTY, NC – Following a federally declared disaster such as Hurricane Florence, local governments are eligible to apply for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds (HMGP) that will reduce or eliminate the losses from future disasters. Projects must provide a long-term solution to a problem, for example, elevation of a home to reduce the risk of flood damage as opposed to buying sandbags and pumps to fight the flood. In addition, a project’s potential savings must be more than the cost of implementing the project. These activities may include elevating structures in the regulatory floodplain, acquiring property to prevent future losses, or retrofitting structures to minimize future damages.

“It’s important to understand that these activities have not been activated by FEMA or the State of North Carolina and therefore, Pender County is unaware of any potential funding amounts or timing of this potential future grant application” said Kyle Breuer, Planning and Community Development Director. “Projects such as this have taken years to receive funding and are not designed to provide immediate relief from the devastating effects of natural disasters our area is known to see. There’s an expectation that this option is available now, which it is not.”

Staff from the Planning and Community Development department as well as Emergency Management will be available next week, Tuesday, October 16th from 4 – 6 p.m. at 805 S. Walker Street, Burgaw, NC to review potential HMGP opportunities with residents as well as to review requirements for potential eligibility.

The County has created a website to host additional information for residents to review and can be found at: https://pendercountync.gov/pcd/planning-community-development/flood/

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