DEQ and local leaders discuss flood resilience in southeastern North Carolina

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Head of the Department of Environmental Quality was in the Cape Fear on Wednesday discussing flood resiliency.

Mayors, county commissioners, city and town council members, and UNCW staff heard about ways to help prevent flooding during hurricane and storm season. Each representative discussed ways they have tried to help in preventing flooding in their areas. Some of the solutions discussed were using real-time water level observations, flood sensors, risk assessment and solutions, and community engagement. State DEQ Secretary Elizabeth Biser stressed the importance of these issues.

“It’s so important because the communities here, the residents here, have experienced first hand the devastating impacts of floods. Whether it’s from Hurricane Florence or the other storm events that we’re seeing. Even high tides are talking about the impacts we’re seeing of flooding more regularly now.”

Biser added that the State of North Carolina is one of the first states to develop a flood resiliency blueprint to provide resources and tools to help when these types of situations arise. Another part of this blueprint is to show a return on investment so state and federal lawmakers can help make better investments for areas that are more prone to flooding.