North Carolina: Building Elevations to Restore the Town’s Commercial Corridor

Mitigating future flood damage and climate change vulnerability to a rural community’s economic engine and identity.

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Pollocksville, North Carolina: $1.08 Million

This is a Justice40 project.

History

Pollocksville is a small town located in southeastern North Carolina, just west of low-lying beach communities and the Outer Banks. Current data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that the total population of Pollocksville is less than 3,000 individuals and the average per capita annual income in Pollocksville is $22,105, which is less than 80% of the national average ($34,103). It sits at the confluence of Mill Creek, which is part of the Trent River Basin, leading to its vulnerability to flood.

Project Description

As a small community in a rural county, Pollocksville is still recovering from the historic flood that occurred as a result of Hurricane Florence in 2018. The business district along Pollocksville’s Main Street suffered the most catastrophic damage. In response, the Pollocksville Community Floodprint Plan utilizes a combination of “green” and “gray” infrastructure improvements that will mitigate the risk of repetitive flood damage while improving the downtown. This project has been strategically identified, scoped and phased as part of a multi-year planning, design and public engagement partnership between the town of Pollocksville and the North Carolina State University Coastal Dynamics Design Lab.

Over the long term, mitigating damage and losses due to flooding will allow the community and its businesses to operate during times of need. Additionally, the project will provide immediate benefits by building the area back in a resilient manner post-Hurricane Florence.

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