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Haywood County sets July 11 cutoff as Helene hazard‑mitigation applications near 66 households
Summary
Project manager Cody Grama told commissioners 66 homeowners have applied to Helene hazard‑mitigation programs and the county will stop accepting mitigation applications on July 11; programs include buyouts, elevation, and a new FEMA slope‑stabilization option that requires engineer reports.
Haywood County project manager Cody Grama told the Board of Commissioners that 66 homeowners have requested mitigation help since the program began in early December and that the county will close applications at close of business on July 11, 2025. "So far, we have 66 homes that have, have asked to be acquired or in the buyout program since we started back in, in early December," Cody said, and directed interested homeowners to readyhaywood.com and mitigation@haywoodcountync.gov.
Grama broke the applicants down by jurisdiction: 16 in Haywood County, 3 in Canton, 42 in Clyde and 4 in the town of Waynesville. He said five homeowners have asked about elevation, 17 about FEMA’s new slope‑stabilization program, and one about floodproofing. On the slope‑stabilization work he said no county applicant has received state approval yet because engineers’ reports and cost estimates are still being prepared. "It's too early right now," he said of approvals, adding the county is helping homeowners obtain the required engineering documentation. Grama advised owners to submit at least a draft application before July 11 so the county can include them in state packages to FEMA.
Grama cautioned homeowners that elevation eligibility depends on whether a house can be raised without structural failure; an engineer evaluation is required and elevation projects typically require the homeowner to maintain flood insurance. On buyout timing he described a best‑case scenario of about a year and a worst case of two years based on current state and FEMA processing and staffing.
The board did not take formal action on the Helene item at the meeting but commissioners were urged to publicize the deadline and help eligible residents file. The update also reminded residents the disaster recovery center adjacent to Development Services remains open for FEMA, SBA and state assistance.
