Full Notification

McDowell County: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)

McDowell County residents can receive funding to make their homes more resilient through home projects that reduce the long-term risk and impacts of natural hazards, such as floods, wildfires, and storms.

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) is a FEMA-funded initiative aimed at reducing or eliminating future damages and losses following a disaster. While federally funded, the program is managed in North Carolina by the Department of Public Safety’s Division of Emergency Management.
For property owners in McDowell County, HMGP offers funding for two primary mitigation strategies: elevation and acquisition:

Elevation Project: This project raises the home as is, demolishes the old foundation, and builds a new foundation that raises the first floor approximately 2 feet above the 100-year flood elevation.
Acquisition Project: In this option, the program buys the property at its pre-disaster value. After the homeowner relocates, the home is demolished, and the land is permanently preserved as greenspace.

For both projects, FEMA funds 75% of the cost, and the state covers the remaining 25%. There is no cost to the homeowner.

How to Apply
To apply for HMGP funding, follow these steps:

1. Watch the Introduction Video: View an 8-minute video explaining the program and its benefits.
2. Compete The Grant Information Request Form: Fill out a 5-minute form to provide basic details about your property and eligibility.
3. Submit the Full Application: After receiving an email from a Hazard Mitigation team member, complete and return the application as instructed.
4. Obtain Local Government Approval: Applications must be approved by the local government (McDowell County or a town within the county) to be included in their submission to FEMA.

McDowell County will offer in-person assistance for the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) applications. More information on the date and location will be announced soon. For immediate questions, please call the Helene Hotline at (828) 652-3241.

Direct Temporary Housing Assistance

FEMA offers several types of housing assistance and temporary shelter solutions for eligible households. Direct Temporary Housing Assistance is approved for 25 counties as an interim solution to permanent housing needs. These temporary housing solutions include travel trailers or manufactured home units, and more will be available soon. These options take time, and individuals will be contacted by FEMA if they are eligible. Learn more about housing assistance options and eligibility by watching this video: Direct Housing Assistance available in North Carolina for Helene Survivors.

Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) is Still Available

Through TSA, FEMA pays directly to participating hotels and motels to cover the cost of room, taxes and non-refundable pet fees to provide short term accommodations for eligible disaster survivors. If you are eligible for TSA, FEMA will notify you using the contact information you provided on your application.

Appeal a Decision

You can appeal any FEMA decision or award amount by sending additional documents, like estimates for repairs, receipts, bills, etc., that show you qualify and need more help. Each decision letter from FEMA explains why you are ineligible and the types of documents to help you appeal. For more details, please visit: https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/how-appeal-fema-decision-1. Video on How to Appeal.

Click the PDF to see the full press release.