Case Study Town of Boone NC Successful Mitigation

Case Study - Town of Boone, NC Successful Mitigation Planning in Boone, North Carolina

Boone, North Carolina

Flooding Problems z Headwaters of the South Fork New River z Steep mountainous terrain z Fifteen major flood events since 1878 z Numerous localized flood events z Worsened by rapid growth in Boone and the surrounding Watauga County • Middle Fork New River • East Fork New River • Winkler Creek • Hodges Creek • Boone Creek • Rocky Knob Creek • Mutton Creek Town of Boone South Fork New River

Anne Marie and Elizabeth Drives z Moderate income residential area with one nonresidential property z Area is subject to severe repetitive flood losses z Since 1977, sixteen flood events requiring evacuation z 50% of the homes are in the floodway Glenstone Health Care Middle Fork New River National Guard Armory South Fork New River Elizabeth Drive Anne Marie Drive Hunting Lane Winkler Creek

Anne Marie and Elizabeth Drives

Flood Damages in the Anne Marie and Elizabeth Drive Area y. One death is directly related to flooding in the area. y. Approximately $500, 000 in flood damages from 1977 -1992. y$113, 000 in flood damages in 1994 -1995. y. Each evacuation of the Glenstone Health Care Center costs the facility approximately $10, 000. y. Each evacuation cost the Town approximately $15, 000.

Severity of Flooding z Based on FEMA FIS data (effective 1997), flood depths vary from: 0 -feet to 10 -feet y 50 -Year Flood: 4 -feet to 16 -feet y 100 -Year Flood: 6 -feet to 18 -feet y 500 -Year Flood: 13 -feet to 25 -feet y 10 -Year Flood: z Base (100 -Year) Flood Elevations (BFE) increase up to 12 -feet over the previously effective FIS.

Severity of Flooding 100 -Year Flood 50 -Year Flood 100 -Year Flood 500 -Year Flood

Solutions to Repetitive Flood Losses z Structural (detention, levees, channel improvement) z Non-structural (dry/wet floodproofing, elevation, relocation, or acquisition) z Of relocation or acquisition, what is the preferred, or acceptable, solution? z Owners’ preference was for acquisition.

Funding Sources z Federal Emergency Management Agency y Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) y HMGP Planning Initiative y Section 406 Public Assistance Program y Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FMA) z Town of Boone z Boone Housing Authority z State of North Carolina z Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) y Housing Development Program y Urgent Needs Program y Community Revitalization Program y Disaster Recovery Initiative z North Carolina Finance Agency (NCHFA) First Time Home Owners Program

Disposition of Acquired Structures z Options: y. Demolish y. Identify appropriate reuse z Recognizing the need for affordable housing for low and moderate income families, the Town: y. Identified structures suitable for relocation. y. Worked with the Northwest Housing Authority to relocate structures to the White Laurel development. z When feasible, structures that could not be relocated were used for fire and rescue training.

White Laurel Development z Developed by Northwest Housing Authority, a nonprofit, private corporation focusing on affordable housing. z Phase I of White Laurel: 42 rental units for low income residents. z Phase II of White Laurel: 20 single family homes for low to moderate income families.

Boone’s Contribution to the White Laurel Development z 18 homes were provided for Phase II. z Homes provided were completely refurbished (new roofs, siding, drywall, paint and repairs as required) z Estimated 20% to 25% cost savings over new construction. z Boone Housing Authority provided assistance in arranging low interest mortgage financing. z Occupancy began by the end of 1999.

White Laurel - A Work in Progress

Disposition of the Acquired Land z Options: y. Leave vacant y. Identify appropriate floodplain use, taking into consideration community needs. z Community Needs y. Boone has a severe shortage of recreational facilities, both for active and passive recreation. z Solution y. Open Space Park

Proposed Open Space Park z Appropriate reuse of a floodplain area z Provides much needed multi-purpose recreational facilities

One Facility - Many Needs Served z The proposed park will support: y. Baseball/Softball y. Soccer y. Biking y. Concerts y. Festivals y. Picnics

Park Pavilion z Flood resistant design y Lower level “bulkhead” doors y Stainless steel bathroom fixtures y Electrical and plumbing cutoffs Pavilion

Alternative Transportation z Proposed park enhances alternative transportation opportunities. y Park can be accessed from two greenway systems. y Park provides much needed restroom facilities for greenway users. Boone Greenway River Walk Promenade Reynold Greeway (1999)

Summary z Identified a serious and life threatening flooding problem. z Developed community support and identified financing for the project from numerous funding sources. z Implemented project in a way that meets multiple needs in the community. y. Affordable housing y. Recreational facilities y. Alternative transportation

Measuring Success