Hurricane Florence Dune Restoration Project
In a multi-agency conference call on Friday, January 29th, North Topsail Beach received permission to begin the long-delayed Hurricane Florence Dune Restoration truck haul in Phases 2, 3, and 4. Originally scheduled to begin November 1, 2020, this project was delayed by a FEMA requirement for an environmental and historical review of the project.
Restoration of the pre-Florence dune system will begin where the Hurricane Matthew project left off (approximately 4400 Island Dr.) and continue north until the environmental window closes in spring with the advent of turtle nesting season. Any area not completed will be deferred until November 2021.
To check which phase your property is in, take a look at this interactive map.
Status Updates
FEMA rehabilitation of the dune system damaged by Hurricane Florence was completed in May 2022 for truck hauled sand and vegetation planting was completed in August 2022. 308,200 sprigs were planted within the Phase 5 area and 529,111 sprigs were planted in the Phase 2-4 Areas. The dune rehabilitation occurred in Phases 1, 2, 3, and 4 where the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CoBRA) zones occur along the town’s shoreline. CoBRA zones limit federal funding ( see https://www.fws.gov/program/coastal-barrier-resources-act for more information).
To check which phase your property is in, take a look at this interactive map.
