$26M FEMA Grant Targets Flood-Damaged Properties in NC Counties

Funding will help eliminate flood risks through residential property buyouts in three hard-hit counties.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 6:35pm

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting depicting a flooded rural area, with physical structures barely visible in the distance as they are dwarfed by the vast, swelling waters that dominate the scene.A serene rural landscape is overwhelmed by the rising, turbulent floodwaters, underscoring the power of nature and the need for proactive disaster mitigation.Tryon Today

FEMA has awarded over $26 million in grant funding to the state of North Carolina to acquire and demolish 75 residential properties severely damaged by recent floods and landslides in Henderson, Polk, and Yancey counties. The buyout program aims to reduce the financial burden on homeowners and increase community resilience to future disasters.

Why it matters

Flood-prone areas in North Carolina have faced repeated damage from extreme weather events in recent years, leaving many homeowners struggling to recover. This FEMA grant provides critical assistance to eliminate flood risks and help communities rebuild in a more sustainable way.

The details

The $26 million in FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding will be used to acquire 75 damaged homes across three North Carolina counties - 53 in Yancey County, 18 in Henderson County, and 4 in Polk County. The buyouts will relieve homeowners of the financial burden of maintaining unlivable properties and allow the land to be returned to its natural floodplain. FEMA is working to expedite the remaining backlog of buyout requests in the state to provide further assistance.

  • FEMA awarded the $26 million grant on April 6, 2026.
  • The property buyouts are expected to be completed in the coming months.

The players

FEMA

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is providing the $26 million in grant funding to eliminate flood risks in North Carolina.

Markwayne Mullin

The new Secretary of Homeland Security, who has brought a renewed sense of urgency to FEMA's pending buyout requests.

Karen S. Evans

The Senior Official Performing the Duties of the FEMA Administrator, who stated that FEMA is taking swift action to help survivors under Secretary Mullin's leadership.

North Carolina Emergency Management

The state agency that will work with FEMA to implement the property buyout program.

North Carolina Department of Transportation

The state agency that will coordinate with FEMA and North Carolina Emergency Management on the buyout program, particularly for properties impacted by road construction.

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What they’re saying

“Under Secretary Mullin's empowering leadership, FEMA is taking swift, decisive action to help survivors. The funding announced today will make a real difference for recovering communities, but our work is not finished. Secretary Mullin has further encouraged us to redouble our efforts to help the survivors who are still waiting for assistance.”

— Karen S. Evans, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the FEMA Administrator

What’s next

FEMA expects to award more funding for property buyouts in the weeks ahead as it works to address the remaining backlog of requests, including properties impacted by state-planned road repair work.

The takeaway

This FEMA grant demonstrates a renewed commitment to supporting flood-prone communities in North Carolina, providing critical assistance to homeowners and helping to build long-term resilience against extreme weather events.