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State hazard-mitigation official outlines FEMA HMGP eligibility, timelines and buyout/elevation options for Buncombe County
Summary
A State Hazard Mitigation Office official briefed council on FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, eligibility rules, the voluntary buyout and elevation programs for homeowners and some commercial properties, the state's central program to administer projects, and the state's current funding estimate of roughly $1.5 billion for the disaster.
The City Council received a briefing Jan. 14 from the North Carolina Hazard Mitigation Office on the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), including who may apply, what projects the program funds, and likely timelines and limits for Buncombe County applications tied to the recent storm.
Steve McGugan, assistant director for hazard mitigation at the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management, told the council HMGP funding is available only after a presidential disaster declaration and is intended to "build back better," supporting acquisition (buyouts), elevation, mitigation reconstruction, planning, and certain infrastructure projects. "The grant is only awarded once you have a presidential declaration," he said.
Eligibility and applicants: McGugan explained the state is the applicant to FEMA; local governments (counties and municipalities) and state agencies can be subapplicants. Private nonprofits with an eligible facility may also apply but generally must do so through a local government sponsor. Homeowners do not apply directly to the state; homeowners apply to their local…
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