Hazard Mitigation Grant Funds Available for Home Elevation on Ocracoke Island

Hyde County has received notice of the availability of FEMA grant funds for the elevation  of homes in Hyde County under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Hurricane Dorian, DR-4465.

The HMGP provides 100% funding to reduce or eliminate the risk of flood damage to buildings and structures. If your home is your primary residence, you agree to carry flood insurance after the elevation, and your home is structurally capable of elevating you may qualify. Flood insurance coverage prior to applying is not required to submit an application.

Hyde County accepts common applications from property owners, for assistance in regards to housing needs, at any time. This common application supplies county staff with the information needed to match the needs of property owners with resources that may come available through state and federal grant opportunities when they become available, including but not limited to HMGP funds. Assistance typically comes in the form of elevations, reconstructions and acquisitions.

In the wake of Hurricane Dorian and in anticipation of the notice of availability from FEMA and other grant funds, Hyde County began accepting common housing applications from individuals with housing damage and needs on September 30, 2019. Teresa Adams, Hyde County Ocracoke Liaison, began taking these common applications in the NC Emergency Management Joint Resource Center that was set up in the Ocracoke Variety Store parking lot in October and November 2019. Rosemary Johnson, Hyde County Planning Assistant, accepts housing applications at the Government Center in Swan Quarter at any time.

Completion and submittal of a common application to Mrs. Adams or Mrs. Johnson qualified you to be considered for funding under this notice of funding availability for HMGP funds and all other funding opportunities afforded to Hyde County and will be utilized by county staff  to continue to identify and work with property owners to assist them with searching for available resources to meet their individual needs moving forward. All property owners desiring assistance should submit a Hyde County common application – including residents, off-island property owners and business owners.

This application does not promise funding, but rather gives the county a tool to apply for funding and match individual property owner needs with grant funds for which they may be eligible.

If you would like to verify that you have an application on file for consideration or would like to file an application, please contact Rosemary Johnson at 252.926.4178 or rjohnson@hydecountync.gov. Mrs. Johnson is happy to answer any questions you may have about the program in general or your individual status as an applicant. You can also visit Mrs. Adams during her office hours, Tuesday and Thursday from 9am to 12pm in the Ocracoke Community Center office, to fill out an application.

All applications must be received by the close of business on January 24, 2020. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Johnson for assistance. Hyde County will submit applications to the State of North Carolina and FEMA for review and evaluation. Submission of an application is no guarantee of funding.