GROWNC report: Hazards, housing, roads remain priority
Officials with the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina (GROWNC) provided an update on Dec. 15 on ongoing recovery efforts, reporting on housing programs, hazard mitigation, and state road conditions more than a year after Hurricane Helene swept through western North Carolina.
Matt Calabria, director of GROWNC, said 585 homes have been submitted to FEMA for review under the hazard mitigation grant program (HMGP). The applications, submitted in 22 batches, include home buyouts, home elevations, and infrastructure improvements intended to reduce future storm damage. No applications have yet received FEMA approval. Total projected federal funding for HMGP is $1.54 billion, with approximately $513 million in state matching funds. Calabria noted that changing federal requirements affect project eligibility, and approvals are dependent on FEMA’s review.
“Hazard mitigation grants remain a central component of recovery in western North Carolina,” Calabria said. “We continue to work with FEMA and local governments to move applications forward and ensure projects meet program criteria.”
Housing Recovery and RenewNC
Stephanie McGarrah, deputy secretary for the Division of Community Revitalization, highlighted housing programs under RenewNC, including the recently launched small rental rehabilitation initiative. The program focuses on rental units of four or fewer properties owned by local or small-scale landlords. Participating landlords receive funding to repair or rebuild damaged units in exchange for a commitment to maintain affordable rents for low-income tenants for 10 years.
Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. McGarrah emphasized ongoing outreach to landlords through local organizations, traditional media, and social media campaigns. “We rely on broad outreach because we cannot directly contact all landlords who may be eligible,” she said.
McGarrah said the program targets areas where low-income residents were displaced or where rental housing suffered extensive damage. By rehabilitating these units and ensuring affordability, RenewNC complements hazard mitigation efforts by restoring housing availability while providing long-term stability for tenants.
Road Closures and Local Traffic Restrictions
Calabria provided updated information from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). NCDOT has “reopened more than 98% of state roads,” he said. As of the December meeting, 36 roads remain closed in western North Carolina. Of those, nine active incidents are on main roads, and 27 active incidents are on secondary roads. These numbers reflect both permanent closures and roads restricted for ongoing repair or reconstruction.
The largest concentration of closures is in Henderson and Rutherford counties, particularly in the Hickory Nut Gorge corridor, near Bat Cave and Chimney Rock. Calabria said these areas require permanent reconstruction of roads and bridges due to storm damage, and some closures remain in place while projects are completed.
“Most of the apparent increases in closures are the result of updated assessments and refinements in NCDOT reporting,” Calabria said. “As crews inspect roads and reassess conditions, some previously listed as partially open are reclassified as fully closed until repairs are complete.”
No “local traffic only” definition exists in state law, but there is federal guidance. The designation allows access only for vehicles with a destination within the restricted area, such as residents, employees, delivery drivers, or service personnel. Through-traffic is prohibited, and drivers must follow posted detours.
The US Department of Transportation’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) establishes national standards for these signs. Local authorities enforce compliance, and drivers violating “local traffic only” restrictions can face fines for failing to obey traffic control devices.
The restrictions aim to reduce traffic in sensitive areas, enhance safety for residents, pedestrians, and construction workers, and prevent side streets from being used as shortcuts to bypass main roads. “What we’re asking is that folks have a reason to be here. This is still an active construction zone,” NCDOT Division 13 construction engineer Nathan Moneyham said at an August press conference in Chimney Rock Village.
Implications for Tourism
Tourism in western North Carolina remains affected by road closures and traffic restrictions. Calabria noted that while most primary roads have reopened, limited access on secondary routes can slow travel and affect visitor access to areas. Businesses that rely on tourist traffic, including hotels, restaurants, and recreational services, may experience reduced customer volume while construction and closures persist.
Tourism officials are monitoring reopening schedules and coordinating with NCDOT and GROWNC to communicate detours and road conditions to visitors. They’re also working with federal Blue Ridge Parkway officials on their road closures.
Calabria said reconstruction priorities focus on both safety and long-term resilience, meaning some closures may remain until roads and bridges are rebuilt to withstand future flooding.
State Recovery Programs
Calabria also highlighted other state recovery initiatives. Gov. Josh Stein announced a $50 million capital grant program administered by the Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) to support local governments’ infrastructure repairs. In addition, water system resilience grants of $270 million will support 58 projects across 26 counties, including upgrades to wastewater systems, water distribution, and septic systems. These projects are designed to strengthen communities against future disasters.
McGarrah emphasized that housing programs under RenewNC work alongside hazard mitigation projects to address displacement and restore communities. The small rental program, in particular, is designed to restore rental units while ensuring affordability for tenants over the long term.
Hazard Mitigation Program Delays
Calabria addressed questions about delays in FEMA approvals for hazard mitigation grants. While the HMGP provides funding to reduce future risk, the program has strict requirements. Applications are submitted in batches and reviewed carefully by FEMA, with approval contingent on project eligibility and compliance with program criteria.
“Some delays result from changes in federal requirements and staff turnover among FEMA personnel,” Calabria said. “The state continues to coordinate with local governments to submit applications that meet program standards and provide all necessary documentation.”
Despite the delays, Calabria said GROWNC is working to prioritize projects with the greatest potential impact on reducing future storm damage, including home buyouts in flood-prone areas and infrastructure projects designed to strengthen resilience.
Coordination Across Agencies
Calabria summarized key metrics for western North Carolina:
- Hazard mitigation: 585 homes submitted for FEMA review in 22 batches, with no approvals yet; total projected funding $1.54 billion federal, $513 million state match
- Road conditions: 36 roads remain closed; nine active incidents on main roads, 27 on secondary roads
- Housing programs: Officials just launched the RenewNC small rental rehabilitation program, accepting first-come, first-served applications for units of four or fewer rental properties.
McGarrah added that RenewNC programs are designed to restore housing stock while ensuring long-term affordability. Outreach and media campaigns aim to maximize participation, particularly for landlords and property owners with eligible rental units. She reported RenewNC contractors and staff had done direct door knocking to over 40,000 homes. The deadline to apply is Jan. 31 for single-family home repair.
Calabria emphasized that road reconstruction, hazard mitigation, and housing recovery are intertwined components of western North Carolina’s long-term recovery strategy. Closing roads to through-traffic allows construction to proceed safely while hazard mitigation projects reduce future risk for homes and infrastructure in vulnerable areas.
According to the data shared by Calabria, residents and communities affected by Helene have received more than $542 million in FEMA Individual Assistance, including temporary housing for 6,900 households and over 6,300 applications submitted for the HUD single-family housing program. Volunteer organizations such as Baptists on Mission and Habitat for Humanity, using state funds, have repaired over 550 homes.
Infrastructure restoration has included the removal of more than 7 million cubic yards of right-of-way debris and over 8.3 million cubic yards of waterway debris, completion of all 6,500+ site assessments under the State’s Private Roads & Bridges Program, and authorization of $33.5 million in FEMA funds to repair private roads and bridges.
According to the meeting report, economic and community recovery efforts have provided $55 million in state and philanthropic small business grants to more than 2,100 recipients, offered $418 million in SBA loans, distributed over $39 million in disaster unemployment assistance, and extended $148 million in loans to 90 local governments.
Calabria encouraged residents, business owners, and tourists to consult state resources for updates. The NCDOT dashboard provides real-time road status on DriveNC.gov, including maps of closed, partially open, and fully reopened roads. RenewNC’s website, RenewNC.org, offers detailed information on housing programs, eligibility requirements, and application instructions.
“GROWNC report: Hazards, housing, roads remain priority” was originally published on www.carolinajournal.com.
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