Why a house in Cherryville was declared a public nuisance
NEWS

Governor and FEMA give Gastonia $6 million to avoid climate change disaster

Kevin Ellis
The Gaston Gazette
Robert Cloninger, with Gastonia Public Works Department, talks with North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell Friday morning, Aug. 12, 2022, during a Nationwide Climate Resilience Funding announcement held at Duharts Creek on East Franklin Boulevard.

Thousands of Gastonia residents along with significant businesses — from those in Franklin Square to CaroMont Regional Medical Center — should be spared from weather-related catastrophic utility disruption thanks to a $8 million project along Duharts Creek near the Gardner Park neighborhood.

Gov. Roy Cooper, along with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, visited Duharts Creek on Friday to announce an $5.9 million grant to the city of Gastonia to relocate 1½ miles of sewer lines and stabilize the banks of Duharts Creek to prevent future damages from floodwaters.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper talks with Robert Cloninger with Gastonia Public Works Friday morning, Aug. 12, 2022, during a Nationwide Climate Resilience Funding announcement held at Duharts Creek on East Franklin Boulevard.

The city of Gastonia will contribute another $2.4 million, although city officials say they will seek other grants to help pay for the project.

Robert Cloninger, with the city's storm water department, walked with Cooper down a path near Morgan's Shoes off Franklin Boulevard showing him how erosion to the banks of Duhart Creek threatens nearby sewer lines.

"You never know," Cloninger told the governor. "You're one bad storm away from a multitude of bad things."

Most people become aware of the Federal Emergency Management Association after a disaster, like what's occurring in the state of Kentucky now, Cooper said in announcing the grant. This is different, he said.

"How wonderful for us to be on the front end of a disaster," he told the group of city officials and business leaders.

Gastonia orthodontist Dr. Steve Hannon's home off Redbud Drive gets sewer service from the Duhart Creek sewage line, and he was present for the announcement. 

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper talks with Gastonia Mayor Walker Reid Friday morning, Aug. 12, 2022, during a Nationwide Climate Resilience Funding announcement held at Duharts Creek on East Franklin Boulevard.

"We want development, but one of the side effects of development is runoff," Hannon said. "So doing this proactively is a smart way to govern. To be there before the incident rather than after."

City officials say the multi-year project will begin soon, but added the behind-the-scenes design phase of the work will take some time to complete.

Duharts Creek floods two or three times a year after heavy rains, Cloninger told the governor. Erosion has exposed some of the sewer lines, while others are underground, just a few feet from the creek water.

Debris or flood waters breaking the lines could knock out sewer service to 26,000 residents, along with 10,000 residents losing electrical service.

"This is how one project can protect thousands of residents," Cooper said.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper walks with a large group Friday morning, Aug. 12, 2022, during a Nationwide Climate Resilience Funding Announcement held at Duharts Creek on East Franklin Boulevard.

Gastonia Mayor Walker Reid said the project has been on the city's radar for years, but added the city could not foot the bill alone.

"We also want to protect our environment for the future of our great city and for generations to come," Reid said.

The money coming to Gastonia is part of the $3.1 billion in federal funding for climate resilience projects nationwide in the coming year through FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities and Flood Mitigation Assistance programs. 

“Here in North Carolina, we’ve dealt with disasters that are only getting more intense due to climate change,” said Cooper. “Funding for this Gastonia project and others in North Carolina will help reduce risk to homes and other property and improve public safety, making our communities more resilient.”

Increasingly severe rain events have left Duharts Creek vulnerable to flooding and have caused significant erosion along the banks. The project will use natural solutions to stabilize and rehabilitate the bank along approximately 8,000 feet of Duharts Creek. It will also protect electrical power and sewer service for the community, which are threatened by erosion around utility poles and sewer pipes along the creek.

“Climate change is an undeniable crisis, and the actions we take today will impact generations to come. Thanks to President Biden’s leadership, FEMA and the entire administration are taking a whole-of-government approach to tackle this issue head on by ensuring communities have the tools they need to prepare for a climate resilient future,” said Criswell.

You can reach Kevin Ellis at 704-201-7016 or Kellis@Gastongazette.com.