House Majority Leader Bell hosts key state officials to survey flood-prone areas

Press release from House Majority Leader Bell’s office.

Goldsboro, NC – House Majority Leader John Bell (R-Wayne) welcomed N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) Secretary Elizabeth Biser to Goldsboro on Wednesday to see firsthand flood-prone areas along Stoney Creek and hear directly from property owners impacted by chronic flooding.  

They were also joined by representatives from the N.C. Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR) in an effort to learn more about the situation as the state begins to address the issue thanks to new flood mitigation funding in the budget. 

“I was very proud to have worked with Senator Jim Perry and others to help secure historic funding in the budget for flood prevention projects across our state, including Stoney Creek in Wayne County” said Rep. John Bell. “I appreciate Secretary Biser and her team, as well as representatives from NCORR, for coming to Goldsboro to see the challenges we face firsthand. This is a huge issue not only in Wayne County, but across our state, and I am hopeful we are finally taking the necessary steps to mitigate flooding and protect property and lives.”  

As part of the nearly $1 billion investment in disaster relief and flood mitigation, the budget included $3.5 million to NCDEQ to address chronic flooding in the Stoney Creek watershed in Wayne County and Goldsboro. It also provided $5 million to NCORR for acquisition of vulnerable property in the Stoney Creek watershed. 

Senator Jim Perry (R-Lenoir, Wayne) added, “I am encouraged by Secretary Biser’s visit to Goldsboro and the commitment we have seen from state officials to implement these funds in an efficient manner. While we can’t completely stop flooding, projects like this for Stoney Creek will help reduce its severity and protect local communities.”