Nearly three years after Hurricane Florence, New Bern's repair work, preparation for next storm continues

Sun Journal (New Bern, NC)

May 28—Disaster mitigation planning and repair work in the wake of Hurricane Florence has touched nearly every government department within the City of New Bern, from public works and parks and recreation to the city's fire and police departments. Almost three years after the storm inflicted more than $200 million in structural damage across Craven County, with nearly half of that in New Bern alone, the city continues to use both state and local money in its effort to guard against impacts from future storms.

According to former New Bern City Manager Mark Stephens, there were approximately 290 claims for damages throughout the city following Hurricane Florence, many related to stormwater-related issues. More than 20 municipally-owned buildings were damaged as well.

To date, the City of New Bern has received approximately $1.8 million in funding for its Hazard Mitigation and Resiliency Planning project, which is currently in progress. The funding has come from organizations such as the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund, and the Golden LEAF Foundation.

The following is a comprehensive look at the City of New Bern's repair and mitigation efforts since September 2018, using the information provided by various department heads. The information shows the extent of the ongoing efforts to repair infrastructure damage resulting from Hurricane Florence, a testament to the destructive force that flooded city streets and homes. It also shows the role played by FEMA and grants from organizations such as the Golden LEAF Foundation in assisting the City in its recovery efforts.

As Colleen Roberts, public information officer for the City of New Bern, noted, "there is no cumulative list of everything the City has done since Hurricane Florence and no way to fully capture everything envisioned for future projects."

Public Works continues to work through the 150 incidents of storm-related damage to city facilities, equipment and other infrastructure, though most work orders have now been completed.

A $33 million stormwater/drainage project funded through FEMA is currently underway as are mitigation repairs to City Hall.

After working to repair and replace the estimated $1.2 million in city infrastructure that was damaged during the storm, most of which was flood-related, Water and Sewer Resources is working to implement mitigation solutions in critical areas where water systems may be susceptible to damage from future storm events. Examples of the ongoing work include:

—Relocation and elevation of Sewer Pump Station No. 10, which sits on the bank of Lawson Creek and suffered heavy flood damage from Florence. The relocation plan will move the pump station and elevate the critical components above the floodplain. This project has been awarded a $500,000 Golden LEAF grant for a portion of the funding. The design for the project is complete and it is currently going through the permitting process, with construction expected to begin this summer.

—Wastewater Treatment Plant Influent Pump Station Rehabilitation Project: This project included the rehabilitation of the existing influent pump station at the main Wastewater Treatment Plant and the replacement of piping and pump components. The project is now complete and the influent station, wet well, pumps, piping, and influent gravity system have all been rehabilitated or replaced and is expected to provide another 30 years of service.

—Rehabilitation of large sewer outfall pipelines in low-lying flood-prone areas. To date, more than 2,000 linear feet of pipe has been rehabilitated.

—Investment in new backup generators for water supply wells and sewer pump stations so they can continue to operate during prolonged power outages during large storm events.

After completing the restoration of the electric system once the storm cleared, the City's Electric Department was responsible for new service construction following private property restorations and rebuilds. The City received a Golden LEAF Foundation grant for $300,000 to help raise and/or relocate inundated critical infrastructure. The work is expected to be complete in December 2021.

Staff has also developed a system improvement plan estimated at $10 million and are currently exploring funding options.

The Parks and Recreation Department has completed an estimated $123,000 in repair and restoration work of damaged parks and facilities for the following locations:

—Administration Building-$39,000

—City cemeteries-$60,000

—Kafer Park-$24,000

Other parks and facilities that sustained various levels of storm damage are either completely repaired or in the process of being repaired. The damages run the gamut from minor fixes such as sidewalk damage, missing signage, missing fencing/handrails, damaged ballfield lights, and shingle loss, to major ones such as damaged docks, gangways, pilings and stationary piers. The storm also destroyed the city's concert stage and damaged restrooms.

The progress of work at other city parks includes:

—Work has been completed at: Donald Lee Miller Park, Ft. Totten Park, Lawson Creek Park, Leander Morgan Park, Lourenco Park, Martin Marietta Park, Monk Mallard Park, New Bern Aquatic Center, Pleasant Hill Park, Riverwalk, Seth West Parrot Park, Tryon Village Park, Union Point Park.

—Glenburnie Park (60% completed)

—Henderson Park (25%)

—Pierce Park (90%)

—Queens Point Riverwalk (80%)

—Purchase of new mobile city stage

New Bern Fire and Rescue has purchased additional swift water and boating equipment to service capabilities. The purchase was funded through a Golden LEAF grant of approximately $34,000. The department has also used a $20,000 grant from NC Emergency Management to provide additional training for personnel in swift water and boating operations and continued its collaboration with other state agencies to improve interoperability during disaster events.

Other steps the department has taken since Hurricane Florence include:

—Collaboration amongst local fire departments to reduce the redundancy of equipment and increase the number of qualified rescue staff.

—Updated its damage assessment software to improve the efficiency of reporting to FEMA and other pertinent agencies.

—Obtained new software from NC Emergency Management to improve accountability of personnel and real-time tracking of emergency rescues.

—Repairs to fire truck that was partially flooded during the hurricane.

The New Bern Police Department has made internal planning changes during disaster events, including improving sleeping arrangements for prolonged duty stays and improving meal distribution plans for staff.

The department has also purchased a high clearance special response vehicle that can be used in flooding situations.

As a result of Florence, which highlighted the importance of tracking and filing sometimes years-long eligible FEMA claims for reimbursement, the City added a full-time accounting position to focus on FEMA and grant projects.

The City has also contracted with Disaster Recovery Services (DRS) to help ensure that the City claims all reimbursement for which it is eligible. Weekly meetings are held with three to six City representatives and DRS staff to continue the claims and application processes, discuss timelines, and to monitor reimbursements.

To date, 36 projects have been identified for FEMA reimbursement, with 20 of those now completed. The City has received reimbursement for 13 of the completed projects.

The City's Hazard Mitigation and Resiliency Plan is designed to increase community resilience to flooding, including addressing the impacts of sea level rise and climate change. The goal of the plan is to build the community's capacity "to avoid, prepare for, withstand, recover and build back better after hazard events with a specific focus on underserved and historic communities."

The plan will take a multi-phased approach that will include recommendations for business, residential and governmental implementations.

The Hazard Mitigation and Resiliency Plan includes the Duffyfield Stormwater Enhancement Project, with a goal of improving safety and water quality, reducing the impacts of flooding, and providing an ecological amenity. Phase I is currently under construction and the City is seeking funding mechanisms for the construction of phases II, III, and IV, including a linear stormwater system, infrastructure and site improvements and wetland plantings.

The City plans to use existing city-owned parcels to create a linear retention pond that will drain into the existing Biddle Street Pond and Pump Station that captures approximately a 60-acre sub-basin of untreated urban runoff and divert it to the Jack Smith Creek.

To date, $970,551 in funding has been raised to complete phase I.

The City recently received a $328, 500 grant from the NC Office of Recovery and Resiliency to provide support related to resiliency, community recovery, and mitigation in the wake of Hurricane Florence.

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