By Erin Smith
Bladen County residents who suffered damage in Hurricane Florence and want their house purchased, elevated or need help with reconstruction can apply now for hazard mitigation assistance.
Bladen County Emergency Management Director Bradley Kinlaw made the announcement on Monday morning. He said the deadline for residents who want to be considered for the hazard mitigation program is February 1, 2019. The program is through the NC Emergency Management Unified Hazard Mitigation Program.
“This is the first of I hope two or more programs that will help with these options,” said Kinlaw.
For residents to be eligible to have their home elevated they must meet the following criteria:
*The structure to be elevated must meet Federal Emergency Management Agency cost-effective requirements. The NC Emergency Management office will assist county and municipal offices in determining if the structure meets those requirements.
*It must be feasible for the structure to be elevated.
*The applicant must own both the structure and the land.
To apply you must submit an application and a copy of your tax card, flood insurance, photos, elevation certificate if one has been issued, required FEMA elevation forms, and a homeowner intake form. If your home is elected for elevation, you will be required to carry federal flood insurance.
For residents who would like to have their home reconstructed, they must meet the following criteria:
*The structure to be rebuilt must meet Federal Emergency Management Agency cost-effective requirements. The NC Emergency Management office will assist county and municipal offices in determining if the structure meets those requirements.
*The project must be completed for $150,000 or less.
*You must own the land the home will be rebuilt on.
To apply you must submit an application and a copy of your tax card, flood insurance, photos, elevation certificate if one has been issued, required FEMA elevation forms, and a homeowner intake form. If your home is elected for elevation, you will be required to carry federal flood insurance.
For residents who are seeking to have their home bought out, they must meet the following criteria:
*The structure to be bought out must meet Federal Emergency Management Agency cost-effective requirements. The NC Emergency Management office will assist county and municipal offices in determining if the structure meets those requirements.
*The local government entity must be willing to keep the land.
*You must have clear title to own the home and the land to be purchased.
To apply you must submit an application and a copy of your tax card, flood insurance, photos, elevation certificate if one has been issued, required FEMA elevation forms, and a homeowner intake form. If your home is elected for elevation, you will be required to carry federal flood insurance.
Kinlaw stressed this program is only for elevation, reconstruction and acquisition (buyout) only.
You can download and print an application here and take it to the Bladen County Emergency Management Office located at 5853 US Hwy. 701 North, or you can email the completed form to bladeneoc@gmail.com, or you can mail it to: Hazard Mitigation program, 5853 US Hwy. 701 North, Elizabethtown, NC 28337.
If you have questions, you can call 910-862-6761 and ask for Tammy.
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