Mayor Vi Lyles, City of Charlotte | Facebook
Mayor Vi Lyles, City of Charlotte | Facebook
Mecklenburg County has been included in the federally declared disaster area for Tropical Storm Helene under Disaster Relief 4827. As part of this declaration, funding through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) is now available via FEMA and the State of North Carolina. This funding aims to support buy-outs and elevation projects for structures located in FEMA-designated floodplains or those with a history of flood damage. The assistance is available even if a property was not directly damaged by Tropical Storm Helene, although priority will be given to those affected by the storm.
The HMGP offers two primary forms of assistance:
Voluntary Buy-Outs: The program covers 100% of the pre-disaster fair market value for eligible properties, as determined by an independent real estate appraiser. Participation does not require flood insurance, but certain conditions apply, such as avoiding duplication of benefits.
Elevation Projects: The program also funds 100% of the cost for elevation projects under specific conditions. Property owners are not responsible for managing these projects or finding contractors, nor are they required to have bids or quotes. While current flood insurance is not necessary to join the program, participants must maintain coverage after project completion. All listed owners must sign the HMGP application.
Interested property owners in Mecklenburg County can meet with representatives from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety's Hazard Mitigation group to learn more and complete applications. Meetings will take place from January 7th to January 9th, 2025, between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM at 2145 Suttle Avenue, Charlotte.
Jonathan Beller, Project Manager at Engineering & Mitigation Program, encourages potential applicants to attend these sessions to explore their options. He notes that participation in this program is voluntary and applications can be withdrawn at any time during the process.
For further information, Jonathan Beller can be contacted at Jonathan.Beller@mecknc.gov.
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