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FAYETTEVILLE – Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) today announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will provide nearly $3 million to buy out 26 flood-ravaged homes in Fayetteville.

The $2,897,855 grant will cover 75 percent of the cost of acquiring and demolishing 26 residential structures flooded during Hurricane Matthew. All of these structures are located within the 100 year floodplain and many have been flooded multiple times over several decades. The deeds will be transferred to the City of Fayetteville to be used as open space.

“Never in my life have I personally witnessed such incredible destruction as I did in the days following Hurricane Matthew. For almost two years now, I have pushed at every opportunity for additional disaster relief for Cumberland, Bladen, and Robeson,” said Congressman Pittenger. “This FEMA grant is just one more step in the process. We are grateful these homeowners will now have the opportunity to permanently relocate to higher ground.”

Nearly 98,000 homes and 19,500 businesses were damaged by Hurricane Matthew in North Carolina. To date, Congressman Pittenger has helped secure over $1.4 billion in federal funding for recovery efforts. Much of that money is released to the State of North Carolina, which is then responsible for distributing it to affected counties and municipalities.