Helene Hazard Mitigation Application Submissions
Key Information
What is the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program?
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) provides funding to the state and local governments to plan for and implement mitigation measures that reduce the risk of loss of life and property from future natural disasters during the reconstruction process following a disaster. When HMGP is approved as part of a disaster declaration, it is available to the entire state.
The most common HMGP projects under Hurricane Helene to help homeowners includes acquisition or elevation of private property. All project types provided under HMGP are voluntary, meaning homeowners must sign up for assistance, but may decline the program at any time if they choose. There are also multiple project types supporting local governments, such as infrastructure, flood gauges and generators.
Definitions
- Awarded by FEMA: FEMA has approved a sub-application and funding has been obligated so that the state can be reimbursed once approved work is completed.
- Contracting Process: The state or the local government is currently soliciting for contractors to complete the Scope of Work approved under the FEMA award. The contracting process may take up to 60 days depending on the size and scope of the project approved by FEMA. Once bids are received and opened, a vendor is selected to carry out the work required per project type.
- Construction Ongoing: Contractors are actively working a FEMA awarded project under the direction of the State or local government.
Acquisition Projects
This program helps property and homeowners move on from a property that may have been unlikely to sell or have the ability to rebuild due to being located in the Special Flood Hazard Area (100-year flood plain) and subjected to repetitive flooding.
A homeowner may voluntarily submit an application to either their county or the state to have their home and property acquired by the government. Property acquisition requests to a county are put into a sub-application and submitted to the state, and then to FEMA. FEMA reviews the sub-applications to verify all properties meet eligibility requirements for the program.
Once FEMA approves a sub-application, it is returned to the state, and reimbursement funding is made available to complete the approved acquisitions. Properties acquired through HMGP are purchased at the approximate value of the property the day before the disaster. Once the homeowner accepts the state or local government’s offer for the property, a closing of the property is completed, and any proceeds will be provided to the homeowner. The state or local government will then demolish the home and clear the property, returning it to green space for perpetuity.
These photos show the before and after of a property acquisition using funding from Hurricane Matthew. This property had been repeatedly flooded, and the owners took advantage of the Hazard Mitigation Program to get into a safer living situation while allowing the land to return to a natural state. It is a great example of the benefits of the program.
| County/City | Number of Properties | Status | Date Submitted to or Awarded by FEMA | Status After Award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashe County #1 | 3 | Awarded by FEMA | 3/2/2026 | Pre Construction |
| Avery County #1 | 23 | 13 of 23 Properties by Awarded | 3/4/2026 | Pre Construction |
| Avery County #2 | 1 | Application Submitted to FEMA | 1/16/2026 | |
| Buncombe County #1 | 23 | Awarded by FEMA | 1/20/2026 | Construction |
| Buncombe County #2 | 26 | 24 of 26 Properties Awarded by FEMA | 1/20/2026 | Construction |
| Buncombe County #3 | 157 | 142 of 157 Properties Awarded by FEMA | 5/11/2026 | Bid Prep |
| Buncombe County #4 | 72 | 60 of 72 Properties Awarded by FEMA | 6/25/2026 | Bid Prep |
| Burke County #1 | 13 | Awarded by FEMA | 3/4/2026 | Bid Evaluation |
| Burke County #2 | 4 | Application Submitted to FEMA | 3/31/2026 | |
| Catawba County #1 | 1 | Awarded by FEMA | 1/14/2026 | Pre Construction |
| Chatham County | 1 | Application Submitted to FEMA | 3/31/2026 | |
| City of Shelby | 1 | Application Submitted to FEMA | 4/14/2026 | |
| Columbus County #1 | 3 | Application Submitted to FEMA | 4/16/2026 | |
| Dare County | 3 | Application Submitted to FEMA | 7/1/2026 | |
| Haywood County #1 | 25 | Awarded by FEMA | 5/11/2026 | Bid Posted |
| Haywood County #2 | 19 | Application Submitted to FEMA | 4/22/2026 | |
| Haywood County #3 | 25 | Application Submitted to FEMA | 4/22/2026 | |
| Haywood County #4 | 19 | Application Submitted to FEMA | 4/22/2026 | |
| Henderson County #1 | 28 | 24 of 28 Properties Awarded by FEMA | 1/20/2026 | Pre Construction |
| Henderson County #2 | 30 | 18 of 30 Properties Awarded by FEMA | 4/7/2026 | Pre Construction |
| Henderson County #3 | 29 | Application Submitted to FEMA | 7/9/2025 | |
| Henderson County #4 | 11 | Application Submitted to FEMA | 2/9/2026 | |
| Jones County | 2 | Application Submitted to FEMA | 4/20/2026 | |
| Madison County #1 | 5 | Awarded by FEMA | 5/11/2026 | Pre-Construction |
| Madison County #2 | 8 | Application Submitted to FEMA | 1/16/2026 | |
| McDowell County #1 | 33 | Application Submitted to FEMA | 7/30/2025 | |
| McDowell County #2 | 42 | Application Submitted to FEMA | 4/21/2026 | |
| Mecklenburg County #1 | 19 | Application Submitted to FEMA | 10/2/2025 | |
| Mecklenburg County #2 | 8 | Application Submitted to FEMA | 4/14/2026 | |
| Mitchell County #1 | 9 | Awarded by FEMA | 5/11/2026 | Bid Prep |
| Pender County | 4 | Application Submitted to FEMA | 4/10/2026 | |
| Polk County #1 | 6 | 4 of 6 Properties Awarded by FEMA | 4/6/2026 | Bid Evaluation |
| Polk County #2 | 2 | Application Submitted to FEMA | 3/31/2026 | |
| Robeson County #1 | 2 | Application Submitted to FEMA | 4/9/2026 | |
| Robeson County #2 | 1 | Application Submitted to FEMA | 4/9/2026 | |
| Rutherford County #1 | 36 | Application Submitted to FEMA | 5/23/2025 | |
| Smithfield | 1 | Application Submitted to FEMA | 2/27/2026 | |
| Town of Belhaven | 1 | Application Submitted to FEMA | 3/10/2026 | |
| Town of Bolton | 5 | Application Submitted to FEMA | 2/4/2026 | |
| Town of Carrboro | 1 | Awarded by FEMA | 4/29/2026 | |
| Town of Sandyfield | 1 | Application Submitted to FEMA | 1/16/2026 | |
| Transylvania County #1 | 11 | 7 of 11 Properties Awarded by FEMA | 1/20/2026 | Pre Construction |
| Transylvania County #2 | 7 | Application Submitted to FEMA | 3/31/2026 | |
| Watauga County #1 | 9 | 7 of 9 Properties Awarded by FEMA | 3/4/2026 | Bid Evaluation |
| Wayne County | 4 | Application Submitted to FEMA | 4/2/2026 | |
| Yancey County #1 | 82 | 53 of 82 Properties Awarded by FEMA | 4/6/2026 | Bid Prep |
| Yancey County #2 | 7 | Application Submitted to FEMA | 4/8/2026 |
Elevation Projects
Just like the acquisition program, a homeowner must volunteer for the elevation program, and the same type of sub-application and FEMA approval process are followed. By volunteering to have a home elevated, the homeowner is agreeing to have the home lifted so that when construction is complete, the height of the first floor of the home is a minimum of 2-feet above the mapped base flood elevation where their home sits.
This type of project means that the framing of the house is separated from the original foundation, lifted high enough so that the old foundation is demolished and a new foundation is constructed at the new required height. Once the foundation is completed, the home is set back down on the new foundation, and it will meet the state’s required height of the first floor being two (2) feet above the base flood elevation.
Pressley Elevation
These homeowners went through the elevation process, and it helped keep their home safe from flooding.
There are many types of foundations that can be built for the house, and the program and construction contractors will go over these options for each homeowner once work begins.
Once completed, any homeowner, current or future, of the property will be required to maintain a current National Flood Insurance Program flood insurance policy for the cost of construction or $250,000, whichever is less.
| City/County | Number of Properties | Application Status | Date Submitted to FEMA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Town of Clyde | 13 | Submitted to FEMA | 17-Feb-26 |
| Mecklenburg County | 28 | Submitted to FEMA | 12-May-26 |
| Buncombe County | 53 | Submitted to FEMA | 18-May-26 |
| Hyde County | 97 | Submitted to FEMA | 18-May-26 |
| Pamlico Elevation | 67 | Submitted to FEMA | 2-Jun-26 |
| Dare County | 40 | Submitted to FEMA | 9-Jun-26 |
| NCEM Eastern NC Elevations | 119 | Submitted to FEMA | 16-Jun-26 |
| NCEM Western NC Elevations | 49 | Submitted to FEMA | 16-Jun-26 |
Generator Projects
Under HMGP a generator project is when a county or municipality seeks an industrial sized generator(s) to help operate emergency medical services, fire stations, emergency shelters, and other critical facilities.
| City/County | Number of Generators | Application Status | Date of Award or Application Submission | Project Status After Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warrenton Generator | 2 | Awarded by FEMA | 14-Jan-26 | In contracting |
| Jackson County | 2 | Awarded by FEMA | 2-Mar-26 | In contracting |
| Ashe County | 6 | Submitted to FEMA | 7-Jan-26 | |
| Black Mountain | 7 | Submitted to FEMA | 7-Jan-26 | |
| Black Mountain | 8 | Submitted to FEMA | 7-Jan-26 | |
| City of Marion | 7 | Submitted to FEMA | 7-Jan-26 | |
| McDowell County | 5 | Submitted to FEMA | 8-Jan-26 | |
| Chimney Rock (Rutherford Co) | 4 | Submitted to FEMA | 8-Jan-26 | |
| Henderson County | 7 | Submitted to FEMA | 11-Feb-26 | |
| Polk County | 11 | Submitted to FEMA | 11-Feb-26 | |
| Hoke County | 16 | Submitted to FEMA | 16-Feb-26 | |
| Jonesville | 2 | Submitted to FEMA | 18-Feb-26 | |
| Lee County | 1 | Submitted to FEMA | 18-Feb-26 | |
| Town of Edenton | 2 | Submitted to FEMA | 26-Feb-26 | |
| Spruce Pine | 4 | Submitted to FEMA | 10-Mar-26 | |
| Swain County | 2 | Submitted to FEMA | 10-Mar-26 | |
| Cherokee County | 3 | Submitted to FEMA | 13-Mar-26 | |
| Gastonia | 2 | Submitted to FEMA | 13-Mar-26 | |
| Martin County | 1 | Submitted to FEMA | 17-Mar-26 | |
| Martin County | 1 | Submitted to FEMA | 20-Mar-26 | |
| Lake Lure | 6 | Submitted to FEMA | 20-Mar-26 | |
| Bertie County | 1 | Submitted to FEMA | 24-Mar-26 | |
| Old Fort | 5 | Submitted to FEMA | 25-Mar-26 | |
| City of Asheville | 13 | Submitted to FEMA | 14-Apr-26 | |
| Dare County | 4 | Submitted to FEMA | 22-Apr-26 |
Infrastructure Projects
Infrastructure projects are generally large scale and often include several individual mitigation activities like flood proofing, stream restoration, culvert replacement, water and wastewater system protective measures, and area wide water diversion measures to prevent flooding impacts. These projects are typically focused on community-wide solutions and often support critical infrastructure facilities.
All other project types submitted by the state and approved by FEMA under the HMGP are normally for local governments and they support long term resiliency in preparing for future natural disasters.
| Grantee | FEMA Application Status | Date Submitted to FEMA | Project Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mecklenburg County | Submitted to FEMA | 11-Mar-26 | Mecklenburg County Kings Branch Stream Restoration |
| City of Greenville | Submitted to FEMA | 12-Mar-26 | City of Greenville Trafalgar Drive Stream Restoration and culvert replacement |
| Lumberton | Submitted to FEMA | 16-Mar-26 | City of Lumberton (Lumberton Loop) Meadow Branch Flood Mitigation Project |
| Davidson County | Submitted to FEMA | 17-Mar-26 | Davidson County DWI Yadkin River Stream Bank Restoration |
| Haywood | Submitted to FEMA | 17-Mar-26 | Haywood County Central Haywood High School Acquisition |
| Hickory NE WWTF | Submitted to FEMA | 20-Mar-26 | Town of Hickory Northeast Wastewater Treatment Facility Stream Restoration |
| Statesville Culvert Replacement | Submitted to FEMA | 20-Mar-26 | City of Statesville Culvert Replacement |
| Hickory - Snow Creek WWTP | Submitted to FEMA | 24-Mar-26 | Town of Hickory Snow Creek Pump Station Decommission and Relocation |
| Asheville - North Fork WTP | Submitted to FEMA | 25-Mar-26 | City of Asheville North Fork Potable Water System Utility Mitigation |
| Salisbury Rowan Utilities | Submitted to FEMA | 25-Mar-26 | Town of Salisbury Rowan Utilities SRU Pump Station Construction |
| Fayetteville | Submitted to FEMA | 26-Mar-26 | City of Fayetteville Wayland Drive Flood Mitigation Project |
| Lake Lure | Submitted to FEMA | 27-Mar-26 | Town of Lake Lure Wastewater Treatment Plant- Construct new plant outside the SFHA |
| City of Lenoir | Submitted to FEMA | 31-Mar-26 | City of Lenoir Wastewater Infrastructure Project-Relocation of the Septage Receiving Basin and construction of a new Flow Equalization Basin |
| Burke County Indian Hills | Submitted to FEMA | 2-Apr-26 | Burke County Indian Hills- Relocating and elevating the Indian Hills Pump Station |
| Burke County Drowning Creek | Submitted to FEMA | 2-Apr-26 | Burke County Drowning Creek Streambank Restoration |
| Gastonia Duharts Creek | Submitted to FEMA | 2-Apr-26 | City of Gastonia Duharts Creek Streambank Restoration |
| North Asheville Drainage | Submitted to FEMA | 6-Apr-26 | City of Asheville Drainage Flood Risk Reduction |
| Mount Pleasant | Submitted to FEMA | 7-Apr-26 | Town of Mount Pleasant Downtown Stormwater Mitigation and Utility Duck Bank Project |
| Salisbury Mahaley Branch | Submitted to FEMA | 10-Apr-26 | Town of Salisbury Mahaley Branch Corridor Restoration |
| Gastonia South Fork Raw Water | Submitted to FEMA | 14-Apr-26 | City of Gastonia South Fork Resiliant Upgrades for South Fork Raw Water Pump Stations |
| Bladenboro Drainage | Submitted to FEMA | 15-Apr-26 | Town of Bladenboro Downtown Drainage Project- Build Flood Barriers and Drainage Improvements |
| Greenville East Fire Tower Rd | Submitted to FEMA | 15-Apr-26 | City of Greenville Stream Restoration Project at East Fire Tower Road |
| Greenville St. Andrews Drive | Submitted to FEMA | 15-Apr-26 | City of Greenville St. Andrews Drive Critical Infrastructure Protection and Stream Restoration |
| Gastonia Storm Ready Grid | Submitted to FEMA | 15-Apr-26 | City of Gastonia Storm Ready Power Grid for Water and Wastewater Resilience |
| Woodfin Weaverville Mitigation | Submitted to FEMA | 15-Apr-26 | Town of Woodfin Weaverville Road Corridor Flood Mitigation |
| Nashville Stoney Creek | Submitted to FEMA | 16-Apr-26 | Town of Nashville Stoney Creek New Sewer Outfall Line Installation Project |
| Tryon Critical Waterlines | Submitted to FEMA | 16-Apr-26 | Town of Tryon Critical Waterlines Relocation Project |
| Wrightsville Beach Headwall | Submitted to FEMA | 17-Apr-26 | City of Wrightsville Beach Headwall Construction Project |
| Tabor City 4th Street Drainage | Submitted to FEMA | 17-Apr-26 | Tabor City 4th Street Drainage Improvements Project |
| River Bend Water System | Submitted to FEMA | 17-Apr-26 | Town of River Bend Water System Relocation Project |
| Whiteville Mollie's Branch | Submitted to FEMA | 17-Apr-26 | City of Whiteville Mollie's Branch Restoration and Infrastructure Improvements |
| Waxhaw | Submitted to FEMA | 17-Apr-26 | Town of Waxhaw Twelve-Mile Creek Restoration Project |
| Ayden | Submitted to FEMA | 18-Apr-26 | Town of Ayden Snow Hill Road Area Drainage Mitigation Project |
| Dare - Rodanthe | Submitted to FEMA | 18-Apr-26 | Dare County Rodanthe Shoreline Erosion Mitigation Project |
| Elizabeth City | Submitted to FEMA | 18-Apr-26 | Elizabeth City Tiber Creek Flooding Reduction Project |
| Newton | Submitted to FEMA | 18-Apr-26 | City of Newton Hwy 10 Substation Relocation Project |
| Pittsboro | Submitted to FEMA | 18-Apr-26 | Town of Pittsboro Culvert Replacement Project |
| Grifton | Submitted to FEMA | 19-Apr-26 | Town of Grifton Stormwater Drainage Improvement Project |
| Dare - Southern Shores | Submitted to FEMA | 19-Apr-26 | Southern Shores and Duck NC Hwy 12 Stormwater Management Project |
| Hillsborough River | Submitted to FEMA | 19-Apr-26 | Town of Hillsborough River Pumping Station Relocation Project |
| Hillsborough Water Supply | Submitted to FEMA | 19-Apr-26 | Town of Hillsborough Resilient Regional Water Supply Project |
| Fairmont | Submitted to FEMA | 19-Apr-26 | Town of Fairmont Happy Hill and North Walnut Street Pump Station Relocation |
| Hendersonville Wash Creek | Submitted to FEMA | 19-Apr-26 | City of Hendersonville Wash Creek Stormwater Improvements |
| Jacksonville | Submitted to FEMA | 19-Apr-26 | City of Jacksonville Scales Creek Watershed Resiliency Initiative |
| Hyde County Swan Quarter | Submitted to FEMA | 20-Apr-26 | Hyde County Swan Quarter Flood Water Mitigation Project |
| Jonesville Upper Yadkin | Submitted to FEMA | 20-Apr-26 | City of Jonesville Upper Yadkin River Flood Plain Initiative |
| Graham Travora St Stormwater | Submitted to FEMA | 20-Apr-26 | City of Graham Travora Street Stormwater Mitigation Project |
| Dunn Juniper Creek Storm Water | Submitted to FEMA | 21-Apr-26 | City of Dunn Juniper Creek Stormwater Mitigation Improvements |
| Banner Elk Elkmont Pump | Submitted to FEMA | 22-Apr-26 | Town of Banner Elk Elkmont Pump Station Relocation |
| Beaufort Waterfront Flood | Submitted to FEMA | 22-Apr-26 | Town of Beaufort Waterfront Flood Reduction & Resilience Project |
| Banner Elk Main Sewer Outfall | Submitted to FEMA | 24-Apr-26 | Town of Banner Elk Main Sewer Outfall Construction |
| Craven Maple Cypress Aerial | Submitted to FEMA | 24-Apr-26 | Craven County Maple Cypress Aerial Water Main Relocation |
| Haywood Landslide Risk Reduction | Submitted to FEMA | 24-Apr-26 | Haywood County Landslide Risk Reduction Project |
| Henderson Landslide Slope Stabilization | Submitted to FEMA | 24-Apr-26 | Henderson County Landslide Slope Stabilization Project |
| Kannapolis Second Creek Pump | Submitted to FEMA | 24-Apr-26 | City of Kannapolis Second Creek Pump Station Relocation and Restoration |
| Kinston Akin Branch | Submitted to FEMA | 24-Apr-26 | City of Kinston Adkin Branch Flood Mitigation Project |
| Nash Highway 97 Outfall | Submitted to FEMA | 24-Apr-26 | Nash County Hwy 97 Outfall Rehabilitation Project |
| Pamlico Bay River Sewer | Submitted to FEMA | 24-Apr-26 | Pamlico County Bay River Sewer District-Spray Field Upgrade & Oriental WWTP Mitigation |
| Black Mountain Water INF | Submitted to FEMA | 24-Apr-26 | Town of Black Mountain Water Infrastructure Resiliency Project |
| Edenton Pump Station | Submitted to FEMA | 24-Apr-26 | Town of Edenton Pump Station Mitigation Project |
| Henderson AdventHealth | Submitted to FEMA | 24-Apr-26 | Henderson County Advent Health Building Envelope Resiliency Project |
| Roanoke Rapids Belmont Pump Station | Submitted to FEMA | 24-Apr-26 | Roanoke Rapids Belmont Pump Station Improvement Project |
| Fairmont WWTF | Submitted to FEMA | 1-May-26 | Town of Fairmont Wastewater Treatment Facility Access Road Improvements |
| Tyrell County | Submitted to FEMA | 12-May-26 | Tyrell County Columbia Bridge Street Drainage Project |
| Fayetteville Russell-Person | Submitted to FEMA | 12-May-26 | City of Fayetteville Russell-Person Flood Reduction Project |
| Hendersonville Mills River | Submitted to FEMA | 12-May-26 | City of Hendersonville Hills River Intake Resiliency Improvements |
| Southport Bonnets Creek | Submitted to FEMA | 20-May-26 | City of Southport Bonnets Creek Flood Reduction Project |
| Wendell Flood Mitigation | Submitted to FEMA | 20-May-26 | Town of Wendell Stormwater Flood Mitigation Project |
| Hendersonville Water System | Submitted to FEMA | 20-May-26 | City of Hendersonville Water System Resiliency Looping Project |
| Haywood Old Armory | Submitted to FEMA | 26-May-26 | Haywood County Old Armory Water & Sewer Resiliency Project |
| Hendersonville Water Supply | Submitted to FEMA | 26-May-26 | City of Hendersonville Water Supply Reservoir Improvements |
| Hendersonville Sewer Pump Sta | Submitted to FEMA | 26-May-26 | City of Hendersonville Sewer Pump Station Resiliency Improvements |
| Leland S Navassa Rd Pump Sta | Submitted to FEMA | 26-May-26 | Town of Leland South Navassa Road Pump Station Relocation Project |
| Navassa Culvert Mitigation | Submitted to FEMA | 26-May-26 | Town of Navassa Culvert Resilience and Flood Mitigation Project |
| Sandyfield Storm Water | Submitted to FEMA | 27-May-26 | Town of Sandyfield Multijurisdictional Rural Stormwater Mitigation Project |
| White Lake Wastewater | Submitted to FEMA | 27-May-26 | Town of White Lake Sewer Basin Relocation and Treatment Upgrades |
| Spencer 17th Street Storm | Submitted to FEMA | 27-May-26 | Town of Spencer 17th Street Stormwater Improvements |
| Taylorsville Flood Mitigation | Submitted to FEMA | 27-May-26 | Town of Taylorsville Improvements to Critical Wastewater and Stormwater Infrastructure |
| Randleman Wastewater | Submitted to FEMA | 29-May-26 | City of Randleman Wastewater Bypass Pump Project |
| Statesville Holland Drive | Submitted to FEMA | 29-May-26 | City of Statesville Holland Drive Culvert and Streambank Rehabilitation Project |
| Caldwell County Booster | Submitted to FEMA | 29-May-26 | Caldwell County Booster Station Elevation Project |
| Farmville Fields St Drainage | Submitted to FEMA | 2-Jun-26 | Town of Farmville Fields Street Drainage Project |
| Washington WW MCR | Submitted to FEMA | 2-Jun-26 | City of Washington Wastewater Treatment Plant Control Room Flood Mitigation Project |
| Dare Roanoke Island | Submitted to FEMA | 6-Jul-26 | Dare County Roanoke Island Stormwater Improvements Project |
| Harnett County Riverside | Submitted to FEMA | 15-Jul-26 | |
| Asheville French Broad Plan | Submitted to FEMA | 15-Jul-26 | City of Asheville Flood Mitigation French Broad Riverfront Recovery Project |
| Asheville Azalea Park | Submitted to FEMA | 15-Jul-26 | City of Asheville Swannanoa, Azelea Road Park Flood Reduction Project |
| Dare County Roanoke Island | Submitted to FEMA | 15-Jul-26 |