Jacksonville Daily News

The Army Corps of Engineers will release disaster relief funds in excess of $300 million for projects at Surf City, North Topsail Beach, Carteret County, and Princeville, according to a press release issued Monday.

North Carolina Senators Thom Tillis and Richard Burr announced the Army Corps of Engineers will award $281 million to Surf City, North Topsail Beach and Carteret County for storm damage reduction projects related to Hurricanes Matthew and Florence. Last week, the Corps announced it would allocate $39.6 million for a Princeville flood mitigation project, for a total investment of $321 million.

The federal funds will be allocated in the following manner:

North Topsail Beach/Surf City: $237 million

Carteret County (Bogues Banks): $44.5 million

Princeville: $39.6 million

Senators Tillis and Burr sent letters to the Army Corps, the Office of Management urging them to consider the projects.

“This award to help North Topsail Beach and Carteret County with flood and storm damage projects has been a top priority of mine,” Tillis is quoted as saying in the release. “Both of these areas sustained lasting damage and I am proud to have led the efforts with Senator Burr and Congressman (David) Rouzer to get the funding they deserve.”

“Each storm that hits North Carolina takes a toll on our beaches and river basins,” Burr is quoted as saying in the release. “After the historic damage inflicted by recent hurricanes, it was clear that more preventive measures needed to be taken to better protect our coastal communities. This additional $281.5 million allocation will do just that.”