Morganton adopts stormwater master plan to guide flood resilience and grant seeking

The Morganton City Council voted to adopt a Stormwater Master Plan prepared by McGill Associates that the city will use to prioritize flooding and drainage improvements, pursue grant funding and satisfy benchmarks in its MS4 permit.

Tom Warbertton presented the study, saying it provides a comprehensive assessment of existing and proposed stormwater conditions, drainage network mapping, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, and estimated cost ranges for potential improvements. “The stormwater master plan provides a comprehensive analysis and assessment of the city stormwater system that includes the evaluation of flooding concerns, infrastructure capacity recommendations for future capital improvements and implementation strategies,” Warbertton said.

He told council the plan was produced using state grant funding awarded in 2023 and that the study’s data and maps will be posted for public review. Council members asked about three identified priority areas and about coordination with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and railroad owners where segments of the drainage system lie on those rights of way; Warbertton said the plan’s technical work should help the city coordinate with partners and more precisely justify projects to outside agencies and grantors.

The resolution adopting the master plan also authorized the city manager to take administrative actions needed to implement the plan. Adoption establishes the document as the city’s guiding framework for future stormwater planning and capital investments.

Why it matters: the plan gives Morganton a technical basis to target flood‑prone areas, support grant applications and meet regulatory MS4 benchmarks.

Council approved the resolution by voice vote; the meeting transcript records the motion and the affirmation 'I.'