Wednesday, August 20, 2025

HOUSING RESILIENCE

CHALLENGES AND BEST PRACTICES


In North Carolina, which experienced massive flood damage from Hurricane Helene, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area has a Floodplain Buyout Program.

The buyouts are voluntary, no owners of homes or businesses are forced to sell.

Mecklenburg County states that “buying and removing buildings in the floodplain is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce long-term flood damage and create many other community benefits.”

“Local floodplains are meant to flood during heavy rains. It’s mother nature’s way of slowing down water to reduce damage caused by raging rivers.

Floodplains also filter stormwater pollutants by temporarily storing floodwater. 

However, many communities including Charlotte-Mecklenburg, have developed within the floodplain, putting homes, businesses and other property in areas meant to flood,” explains the program’s website.

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