Storm Water Services Offering Voluntary Buyouts and Grants For Homes Damaged By Hurricane Helene
Voluntary buyouts and retroFIT (Floodproofing Improvements Together) grants are now available to property owners near Mountain Island Lake whose homes were damaged or destroyed during Hurricane Helene.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services (SWS) estimates about 170 homes were affected by the September storm. About 46 homes were damaged to the point that they cannot be repaired to their pre-damaged condition.
Single-family homes in the special flood hazard area that were damaged from flood waters on Sept. 25 or beyond will be considered eligible for a voluntary buyout if the floodplain administrator determines the home was substantially damaged.
For a homeowner to be eligible for a retroFIT grant to elevate or demolish their home, the eligibility requirements are as follows:
- Property is outside the Community Encroachment area or high hazard area determined by MCSWS after the event
- Building has not been moved off its foundation and appears structurally sound for elevating
- The cost of retroFIT project does not exceed the voluntary buyout offer amount
SWS plans to allocate $8.5 million for the voluntary buyout and retroFIT programs. Priority will be given to the most damaged structures according to the MCSWS program guidelines.
Residents interested in a voluntary buyout should email [email protected]. Those interested in a retroFIT can submit an application online.
SWS has had a voluntary buyout program since 1999 and retroFIT grants have been available for more than five years. Since 1999, Mecklenburg County has invested more than $50 million of local funds into flood-prone property buyouts and leveraged more than $25 million in investments from FEMA and other partner agencies. These investments have prevented more than $50 million in flood losses and have converted more than 475 properties to open space.