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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: June 6, 2023 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 8-r <br /> SUBJECT: Hurricane Florence Hazard Mitigation Property Acquisition Authorization <br /> DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Property Appraisal Report Sarah Pickhardt, 919-245-6135 <br /> Offer Letter Kirby Saunders, 919-245-6123 <br /> Patrick Mallett, 919-245-2577 <br /> Christopher Sandt, 919-245-2583 <br /> PURPOSE: To authorize the purchase of a repetitive loss property (503 Brandywine Road) <br /> through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grants <br /> Program. <br /> BACKGROUND: On September 14-17, 2018, Hurricane Florence significantly impacted Orange <br /> County with torrential rain, high winds, and widespread flooding. As a result, Orange County was <br /> included in the list of counties that received a major disaster declaration from FEMA on October <br /> 22, 2018. (Disaster Number: 4393-DR-NC). Under this disaster declaration, FEMA awarded <br /> Orange County a grant through FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for the acquisition of a <br /> repetitive loss property. <br /> The property authorized for acquisition under the grant is 503 Brandywine Road, Chapel Hill, NC <br /> 27514. During Hurricane Florence, floodwater surrounded the home while the family of five was <br /> inside. The floodwater then filled the lower level of the home and garage with an estimated one <br /> and a half feet of water. The entirety of the first level of the home and garage was destroyed along <br /> with the contents. A damage assessment of the home concluded that there was approximately <br /> $87,000 in damage to the home and property caused Hurricane Florence. The home has flooded <br /> numerous times, causing damage resulting in costly repairs, which deems the property a severe <br /> repetitive loss. <br /> Through the grant, the County will acquire the property, demolish the structures on site, and return <br /> the property to green space. The County has accepted the grant, designated an Applicant's Agent, <br /> and created a budget for this project. An appraiser has evaluated the home at a pre-disaster value <br /> of$260,000, which is the amount noted on the attached offer letter. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: FEMA provides Hazard Mitigation Grants Program funding up to 75% of <br /> total project costs, with the remaining 25% coming from the applicant. North Carolina Emergency <br /> Management (NCEM) has provided the 25% share for counties. There is no financial impact to <br /> the County. <br />