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State and FEMA officials pledge funding support and new "advanced payments" pilot to speed reimbursements
Summary
North Carolina Emergency Management and FEMA told Haywood County commissioners federal funding is available from the Disaster Relief Fund and the state is piloting "advanced payments" to accelerate reimbursements for debris-removal projects, while cautioning that Army Corps involvement may extend timelines.
State and federal officials told Haywood County commissioners that federal disaster funds are available and that the state is taking steps to speed reimbursements for debris work.
Benjamin Abbott, FEMA federal coordinating officer, told the board: "This is we're funded out of the DRF, the disaster relief fund, which was appropriated." Joe Stanton, assistant director of North Carolina Emergency Management, said the state is structuring project worksheets to allow faster obligations and is piloting an "advanced payments" program aimed at getting funds to counties more quickly as work proceeds.
Stanton also cautioned that a shift to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers route would require assessments, permitting and bidding and could take 30 to 60 days before work begins. He said the state and FEMA are working to provide clarity on eligibility and to coordinate documentation so the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program can move faster when its funds are available.
