CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Homeowners impacted by Helene can now apply for a special program that helps protect them from future natural disasters.
“We were right in the heart of it, Lake Drive,” said Phil Barefoot.
Phil Barefoot owns a home on Lake Drive in Charlotte. When Helene hit, it filled up with 12 feet of water.
“So, it was devastating,” said Phil.
Since Helene, he’s been stuck in limbo, unsure of what to do.
“That’s kind of how all of us feel; we’re tired of it; we’re over it,” said Phil.
When Phil got to the Mecklenburg County Land Use and Environmental Service Agency building on Tuesday, he had something that he hadn’t had in a long time.
Hope.
“What I’ve seen today is a lot of folks that are hopeful to get assistance that didn’t know this program existed,” said Steven McGugan, the Assistant Director of Hazard Mitigation for North Carolina.
North Carolina State agents met with dozens of homeowners Tuesday to talk about the ‘Federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.’ The program is available to people who were impacted by Helene. It gives impacted homeowners a few options: to either have their home raised, the ground around their house stabilized, or either of those options cost more than the value of their home—their home can be purchased at pre-flood value.
The cost is covered by federal and state funds, though there still may be a wait for those who need help.
“Help becomes a part of how many we have,” said Steven. “The first person may be helped in as little as 4-5 months, (but) if there’s 20-30 people and we have to work through that list, it could be up to 12-18 months. (It also) depends on if you’re being acquired or if you have construction; if you have construction, it takes a lot longer.”
Phil has lived in his home on Lake Drive for 33 years. He isn’t sure if it’ll be home for much longer.
“I don’t know yet. I’ll decide that,” said Phil.
State agents will be available Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
People are welcome to come to the LUESA Building, on the 4th floor in the Hall Marshall Room. The address is 2145 Suttle Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28208. Officials say people are welcome to show up and wait for a meeting. They can also apply to the program online. They will be taking applications through October 31st, but the sooner people can get their applications in, the better.
