HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — The City of Hendersonville Stormwater Department has secured $2,456,00 in funding to advance stormwater improvement projects.
According to a news release, the funds are intended to reduce flooding and enhance community resilience.
The North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM) Disaster and Relief & Mitigation Fund provided $2 million of the total award, with the additional $456,000 being awarded through the North Carolina Flood Resilience Blueprint.
HENDERSONVILLE OPENS 4TH WATER SOURCE TO BOOST DROUGHT AND EXTREME WEATHER RESILIENCE
“This funding is going to be used to implement critical stormwater improvements in both the Wash Creek watershed and lower Mud Creek,” said Mike Huffman, Stormwater Director with the City of Hendersonville, in a news release. “These projects reflect Hendersonville’s commitment to proactive flood mitigation, infrastructure resilience, and long-term community safety.”
The release states that $2 million from NCEM, along with $356,000 of the $456,000 allocated to the Flood Resilience Blueprint, will support improvements within the Wash Creek Watershed.
The project will replace aging and undersized stormwater infrastructure that has contributed to recurring public safety concerns during heavy rainfall.
Planned upgrades include upsizing and relocating portions of the existing storm drainage system into the public right-of-way, allowing for long-term city maintenance.
According to the release, the improvements are expected to reduce flood frequency and depth, improve roadway safety, and ensure more reliable access for residents and emergency services by increasing the system capacity.
The remaining $100,000 from the Flood Resilience Blueprint will go to support ongoing floodplain restoration efforts along lower Mud Creek on the southside of Hendersonville.
The project focuses on reducing flooding while restoring the natural floodplain functions.
Project components include the following:
Reconnecting floodplainsRestoring more than 2,000 linear feet of source streamsStabilizing 1,500 linear feet of Mud Creek streambankEnhancing approximately 20 acres of wetlands and riparian areas
$472M AWARDED FOR DRINKING AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS AROUND NORTH CAROLINA
According to the release, the improvements will increase floodwater storage capacity, reduce chronic flooding in nearby commercial and residential areas, and improve water quality by addressing stormwater runoff and loss of wildlife habitats.
Conservation easements are to ensure the long-term protection of restored areas while also allowing for green-space development and improved community connectivity.
The city says that together, the Wash Creek Watershed and lower Mud Creek projects demonstrate the city’s continued dedication to environmental stewardship, proactive stormwater management, and climate resilience.