$18 Million Funding for North Carolina Beaches

FEMA and the state of North Carolina are announcing more than $18 million to reimburse expenses restoring beaches damaged during Hurricane Florence.

According to the release, the funds reimburse nourishing sand and replacing plants at beaches located in the towns of Indian Beach and Pine Knoll Shores following damage from Hurricane Florence’s storm surge.

The towns will restore beaches with nearly 830,000 cubic yards of sand and more than 168,000 square yards of plants.

FEMA’s Public Assistance program provides grants for state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations to reimburse the cost of debris removal, emergency protective measures and permanent repair work.

Public Assistance is a cost-sharing program. FEMA reimburses applicants at least 75 percent of eligible costs, and the remaining 25 percent is covered by the state. FEMA’s share for this project is nearly $14 million and the state’s share is more than $4.6 million.

The federal share is paid directly to the state, which disburses funds to agencies, local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations that incurred costs.