By: Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo and Pender County Commissioner Jackie Newton
Six years after Hurricane Matthew and four years after Hurricane Florence, strong storms and the floods they spark continue to batter Eastern North Carolina. Such storms, combined with rising seas, will only increase in the future.
As flooding in Eastern Kentucky showed last month, it’s not just coastal communities that are affected — we’re all at risk in this wetter future.
Despite these growing risks, North Carolina has taken steps to build a safer, more resilient state, from the Outer Banks to the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Through its recent budgets, the state has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in flood resilience. We applaud the legislature’s efforts as they continue to prioritize resilience across the state, especially those who championed such efforts: North Carolina Sen. Jim Perry and Rep. John Bell, as well as Rep. Charlie Miller, who represents Southeastern North Carolina.
The recent investments will go toward risk assessment, planning, projects, and support to help the state break out of the costly cycle of disaster spending. Such investments show that North Carolina is serious about addressing the long-term effects of flooding.
The Flood Resiliency Blueprint, a key part of the state budget, will support areas most affected by flooding, by determining the flood risk of the most at-risk watersheds; laying out a statewide plan for projects and funding accordingly; and providing information to drive investments and jumpstart projects.
But money alone will not solve the problem. We need a coordinated, grassroots response at the local and regional level. Floods recognize no political boundaries, and to address such destruction, we must work together across those lines to advocate for flood solutions.
That’s why we co-chair the Eastern North Carolina Recovery & Resilience Alliance, a diverse contingent of over 50 mayors and county commissioners, which was formed after Hurricane Florence.
The Alliance helps unify our voices and know-how to collaborate at the local and regional level on solutions. Importantly, the Alliance bridges the urban and rural divide to create a stronger voice at every level of government.
We also spearheaded the efforts for the Alliance to join the American Flood Coalition — a nonpartisan coalition that advocates for flood solutions and connects us with other flood-prone communities — and we each recently joined the coalition as individual members.
Through the American Flood Coalition’s Mayors Summit on Flooding and Sea Level Rise in Washington, D.C., we further connected and collaborated with other Eastern North Carolina leaders, as well as our congressional delegation, including Sen. Thom Tillis and Reps. Greg Murphy and David Rouzer.
We are both proud of the work done to create flood resilience across North Carolina, and optimistic that we can continue building on these efforts. But the journey is far from over.
Though the legislature’s budget marked the largest investment in flood resilience in North Carolina history, future budgets must continue to invest in such priorities. Funding at the federal level will also help: The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provides billions of dollars for flood resilience, and communities must use this historic opportunity to apply for funds to support projects.
We also look forward to attending the second annual Water Adaptations to Ensure Regional Success Summit this October, hosted by Reps Greg Murphy and David Rouzer, AFC Federal Champions who together represent much of the state’s coastline.
Together, we can continue investing in projects that will create a more resilient state in the face of stronger, more frequent storms. With the combination of funds, collaboration, and strategy, North Carolina can lead the nation in resilience, creating safer, stronger communities for whatever floods come our way.
Bill Saffo has served on the Wilmington City Council since 2003, and has served as mayor since 2006. Jackie Newton was elected as a Pender County commissioner in 2016. Commissioner Newton co-chairs the Eastern N.C. Disaster Recovery and Resiliency Alliance with Wilmington Mayor Saffo.