Nags Head opts to pursue state‑administered HMGP acquisition option for buyouts and elevations

At the May 7 meeting, town staff recommended that Nags Head participate in North Carolina’s state‑centric administrative model for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) acquisition projects, and the board approved the action by motion.

Presenter Joe Morn described HMGP project types — elevating homes, acquiring and demolishing properties to retain open space, generators, and public infrastructure — and said the state‑centric option lets the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management assist with procurement, bidding and project management. "It's a really great program. It's unique to North Carolina... it allows them to assist with managing the project, procurement, bidding, closing out the project," Morn said.

Morn noted program timelines can be long. For elevation projects he said, "it typically takes four or five years" from application to completion. The presentation emphasized that the program is voluntary for property owners and that submitting a letter of interest is the first step to obtain state assistance.

The motion before the board would allow staff to opt into the state program for acquisitions; supporters said state management reduces staff workload and improves reimbursement processes. After a motion and second, the board approved the recommendation to participate through the county in the state model for acquisition projects.

Staff will proceed with the letter of interest to the county/state and follow state guidance on project selection, procurement and timelines. No specific properties were identified or selected for acquisition during the May 7 meeting.