In late March, the American Flood Coalition (AFC) brought together leaders from across North Carolina for a cross-state exchange, connecting eastern and western communities to share hard-won lessons from flood recovery and strengthen the relationships needed for long-term resilience. The visits recognized that while flooding looks different in each place, the challenges of recovery and long-term resilience are shared.
Western Leaders Visit Eastern North Carolina
On March 23, a delegation of Western North Carolina leaders toured several communities across eastern North Carolina to meet with local officials and learn how communities in the eastern part of the state are rebuilding after recent flooding events and adapting to rising flood risks across the region. Tour stops in Columbus County included Fair Bluff’s relocation of its downtown to higher ground following Hurricane Matthew. They also included Brunswick County and Boiling Spring Lakes, where recovery from PTC-8, an unnamed storm that dropped 20 inches of rain in a single day, exposed critical gaps in flood zone mapping and emergency preparedness that the county is now working to close.
The delegation included Madison County Commission Chairman Matt Wechtel, Lake Lure Mayor Carol Pritchett, Marshall Mayor Aaron Haynie, Carolina Land and Lakes RC&D Executive Director Melissa Patton, and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Assistant Secretary for Resilience Dr. Kathie Dello, along with additional state and local officials.
Eastern Leaders Visit Western North Carolina
On March 30, AFC brought eastern North Carolina leaders to western North Carolina to see firsthand how mountain communities are recovering from the severe damage caused by Hurricane Helene. The tour included stops at Canton’s mill redevelopment project and Clyde’s volunteer fire department relocation out of a flood-prone zone, both examples of how communities are rebuilding with resilience in mind.
The delegation included Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo, Boiling Spring Lakes Mayor Jeff Winecoff, Burgaw Mayor Olivia Dawson, Duplin County Commissioner Wayne Branch, Dr. Kathie Dello, Representative Jennifer Balkcom, and Representative Mark Pless, with additional federal, state, and local officials also in attendance.
Building Statewide Collaboration
North Carolina faces flood risk across its full geography, from its barrier islands and coastal plain
to its piedmont and mountain communities. AFC’s cross-state exchange created space for leaders with different regional experiences to share what they have learned and build relationships that can support statewide resilience efforts.
Flood risk does not stop at county, town, or city lines, and effective resilience solutions cannot either. Developing a coordinated, statewide approach to flood resilience requires leaders across regions to share knowledge, align priorities, and build lasting partnerships. These cross-state exchanges reflect AFC’s commitment to fostering collaboration between leaders and ensuring that every community is better positioned to prepare for and recover from flooding.
