Hyde to receive state grant for temporary housing

November 27, 2019 | Local News | From The: Ocracoke Observer

Volunteers paint an Ocracoke home as part of their work through UMCOR. Various groups will continue to help Ocracoke for many months to come. Photo: C. Leinbach

Hyde County Commissioners voted Nov. 20 to accept a $600,000 state-funded grant for more aid for Hurricane Dorian survivors. This is the first installment of state assistance for Hyde County to aid in rebuilding and recovery after Dorian struck the island Sept. 6.

“Hurricane Dorian caused significant destruction on Ocracoke Island, and these state funds will help those left without a home,” said Gov. Roy Cooper. “We remain committed to rebuilding stronger and smarter and supporting those left in Hurricane Dorian’s aftermath with this important step.”

According to Justin Gibbs, Hyde County Emergency Services director, who spoke at the Nov. 13 Ocracoke Civic & Business Association civic affairs meeting Nov. 13, the grant will provide for the purchase of 35 travel trailers for temporary housing, approximately $5,000 per trailer, issued through Long Term Recovery Group. $110,000 can go towards rental assistance ($2,400 per family up to six months) and $300,000 for potential project management.

The trailers will be available to renters and/or property owners. Trailers can possibly sleep up to six people and will need to be hooked up to electric meter, water meter and septic system.

Gibbs said N.C. Emergency Management is working with FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers regarding NPS Campground for possible location of trailers. A septic system for this location would cost approximately $500,000.

“We are grateful for this state assistance as our community tries to rebuild after the storm,” said Kris Noble, Hyde County Manager. “We still have many displaced residents, and these funds for temporary housing and increased capacity in county government are critical to our recovery.”

The Firehouse Fund, which is allocating money collected by Ocracoke friends who’ve donated to the island through the Outer Banks Community Foundation, has earmarked $200,000 for set up and maintenance of the trailers.

Cooper on Nov. 18 signed HB 200 into law, which includes other recovery funds for Hyde County, including $1.7 million for repairs to the Ocracoke School. Additionally, $1.8 million will go to the Office of State Budget and Management to provide a directed grant to Hyde County for construction of a pump station and related watershed restoration infrastructure for the Lake Mattamuskeet watershed.