Western North Carolina flood control projects will receive $5.7 million in grants from the state. The funding will support eight flood resilience projects in the French Broad River Basin.
The grants from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Flood Resiliency Blueprint target recovery from Hurricane Helene, which caused damage in September 2025. The projects focus on floodwater storage, floodplain restoration, infrastructure relocation, and water quality improvements in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, and surrounding counties.
Project Details
The funding includes:
$284,000 for Woodfin Riverside Park Flood Mitigation and Stormwater Improvements in Woodfin (Buncombe County)
Approximately $400,000 for a floodable park for stormwater treatment in Clyde (Haywood County)
$450,000 for a floodable park with trails and stormwater treatment in Canton (Haywood County)
$470,000 to restore 4+ acres in the Hominy Creek floodway in Canton (Haywood County)
$2,000,000 to buy land to move flood-vulnerable schools/sports facilities in Canton (Haywood County)
Approximately $1.6 million for the Black Mountain Veterans Park Floodplain, Wetland, and Green Infrastructure Complex in Black Mountain (Buncombe County)
$100,000 to restore a 27-acre floodplain/stream in Hendersonville (Henderson County)
$356,000 to upgrade/relocate undersized stormwater systems in Hendersonville (Henderson County)
These grants build on prior Blueprint funding of $3.16 million for eight French Broad projects in 2024-2025. The NC General Assembly allocated $96 million overall for Blueprint projects across six river basins.
The announcement was made at Woodfin Riverside Park in Buncombe County on February 16, 2026. The projects prioritize nature-based solutions like floodplain reconnection and stormwater infrastructure.
“Rebuilding western North Carolina after Helene means rebuilding stronger and smarter to prepare for future storms,” said Governor Josh Stein. “These grants not only rebuild and restore the French Broad River Basin but also help protect the surrounding communities so generations of North Carolinians can live in safety.”
“Communities throughout our mountains were devastated by Helene, and we know that storms are becoming more intense and more frequent throughout North Carolina,” said DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson. “These Flood Resiliency Blueprint projects will make communities less vulnerable to future flooding in the French Broad River Basin and will help save lives, homes, and businesses. We appreciate the General Assembly’s strong support of the Flood Resiliency Blueprint.”
The projects aim to limit flood extent, speed recovery, and enhance resilience in communities affected by increasingly frequent storms. These efforts emphasize amenities like parks that also mitigate risks.
Image: NC Gov Stein's Office