FHWA 24-18 Thursday, October 11, 2018 Contact: Doug Hecox Tel.: (202) 366-0660

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation today announced the immediate availability of $750,000 in Emergency Relief program funds to help begin repairs on roads and bridges throughout Croatan National Forest in North Carolina damaged last month by Hurricane Florence.

“Severe flooding from Hurricane Florence damaged roads throughout the state, including the region around Croatan National Forest,” said Deputy Federal Highway Administrator Brandye L. Hendrickson. “These emergency funds will expedite the repair process and help ensure that federal-aid highways and bridges open for the traveling public as quickly as possible.”

More than 40 inches of rain fell in some parts of the forest, and the surrounding area, making complete damage assessments challenging.  U.S. Forest Service officials estimate the cost of repairs to be $4.5 million, but, as more complete information becomes available, that figure could climb.

Several roads in the Croatan National Forest provide access for the U.S. Department of Defense, county emergency management response, communication towers for state and federal agencies, timbering operations, endangered species management needs, private homes, and public commuter routes throughout the area and nearby Jones, Carteret and Craven Counties.

This “quick release” funding will be used to pay for the repairs done to restore essential traffic and prevent additional damage at emergency repair locations throughout the Croatan National Forest. An initial “quick release” payment, this is considered a down payment on the costs of short-term repairs while the state continues damage assessments for long-term repairs.

The FHWA’s ER program provides funding for highways and bridges damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events.

# # #