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West Whiteville residents say flood project stalled after FEMA funds pulled
Summary
A resident presenter told council that the Molly's Branch (also referenced as Moss Branch) flood-mitigation project has been inactive for more than a year and that residents have received little communication; city staff said FEMA grant funding was pulled and the project is on hold until new funding is secured.
Residents from West Whiteville pressed the council for better communication and asked whether the Molly's Branch flood project could be redesigned to protect neighborhood access, sidewalks and emergency routes. The presenter said he had not heard an update "in 530 days" and brought residents' petitions and neighborhood concerns to the council.
"I haven't heard back in 530 days about any update on the on the Moss Branch plan," the resident said, seeking clarity and more consistent outreach to neighbors who would be affected by road closures and reduced access. He raised specific worries about school pickup routes and pedestrian safety if planned street closures remove multiple neighborhood entrances.
City leadership responded that the project is currently stalled because FEMA funding has been pulled. "The FEMA money has been pulled," the mayor said, and staff explained the project was previously paid with 100% grant money and that there are no local funds available now to redesign the plan. Staff added that if FEMA reopens funding opportunities, the city could solicit additional money to change the plan and resume work.
Residents asked the council to treat the city manager as the primary contact for updates and to improve communication channels so neighbors receive timely information about design changes and construction timing.
