The North River community in Carteret County, North Carolina, is an unincorporated area known for its rural charm and close-knit resilient population. The community’s demographics show a significant majority of Black residents, with smaller percentages of White and other racial groups.
The North River area faces multiple flooding challenges, including sunny day flooding, storm flooding, and the long-term threat of sea level rise. Sunny day flooding, also known as high-tide flooding, occurs during high tides without precipitation and is becoming increasingly common due to rising sea levels. This type of flooding disrupts daily life by inundating roads and overwhelming drainage systems (Environment Blog) (WUNC).
The Coastal Carolina Riverwatch (CCRW) North River Resilience Project focuses on enhancing the resilience of the North River community in Carteret County, North Carolina, against environmental challenges, especially flooding. This initiative involves community engagement, strategic planning, and securing funding to address critical vulnerabilities.
Key Achievements:
- Community Engagement and Trust-Building: Initiated a comprehensive engagement process, including open forums, group discussions, and community events to gather feedback and understand resident concerns.
- Project Prioritization and Funding: Identified and prioritized community needs, including debris removal, and established a nonprofit organization within the community to manage and apply for funding.
- Collaboration and Partnerships: Developed strong relationships with key organizations, including the Town of Beaufort, Eastern Carteret Collaborative, and various state and federal agencies.
- Milestone Projects: Provided $7,000 in grants for debris removal and establishing a cash match fund for federal grants, which support critical community resilience projects.
- Performance on Campaign Goals:
- Goal 1: Assisted the community in accessing funding for flood resilience projects.
- Goal 2: Built relationships to support nature-based project funding applications.
- Goal 3: Supported local community partners in mobilizing activists and creating organizational structures.
Do you have a
resiliency project in mind for
North River?
Complete our online form to add your project idea to our project map!
Read the full report: