Mecklenburg County is opening the floodgates for public opinion on a new FEMA-funded initiative. In an effort to stem the tide of future flood damage, the county has proposed a voluntary house elevation project along the 3000 block of Hansen Drive. As per the Mecklenburg County's announcement, this project aims to lift homes to the Community Flood Protection Elevation, thereby mitigating the impact of potential floods.
The plan, backed by FEMA and North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM), would tap into the coffers of the Hazard Mitigation Grant. Homeowners won't be forced to participate; it’s strictly a voluntary affair. Nonetheless, considering the vulnerability of the area to aquatic incursions, FEMA's bylaws dictate a period of public scrutiny, soliciting comments from residents and stakeholders. The agency is legally bound to weigh alternatives and issue a public notice on proposed actions in floodplain areas or wetlands, according to a statement obtained by Mecklenburg County News.
Alternatives on the table include doing nothing, leaving structures to fend for themselves against the floodplain's wrath, or elevating them as a precaution. The former keeps properties in the crosshairs of potential flood damage and the attendant risks to life. The latter offers a reprieve, though not a relocation — the homeowner in question here chose to stick it out in their neighborhood rather than take the buyout road, an option not viable here due to unfriendly cost/benefit assessments and the market's valuation of the land.
Public comment is not just welcome but integral to the process. Those who wish to raise their voice can direct their written thoughts to the FEMA Internal 11988 Reviewer at FEMA Region 4 in Atlanta or dispatch an email to [email protected], with the subject line [EMA-2021-FM-036-0003 COMMENT]. Stakeholders should mark May 3 in their calendar, as it’s the deadline to submit feedback on these floodplain-focused future plans.
