Floodplain - Environmental Hazard Mitigation Services

Natural disasters traumatize hundreds of thousands of people and cause billions of dollars worth of damage each year. To assist affected property owners in recovering the value of their property and prevent destruction from future disasters, THC helps rebuild communities by acquiring severely damaged structures and implementing hazard mitigation measures.

Based on our experience with voluntary land acquisition projects in the aviation, highway and utility industries, we offer turnkey program management or selective services for state and local governments interested in hazard mitigation or recovery from a natural disaster. Our expertise with the Uniform Relocation Act and FEMA guidelines governing land acquisition and relocation procedures will assure you of an efficient program with maximum participation and community satisfaction. 

The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000

FEMA developed this Act to more effectively manage the requests for disaster relief funds from impacted communities immediately after a natural disaster or those who have suffered repetitive losses. To qualify for maximum disaster relief funds and encourage communities to become disaster resistant, a municipality must have a mitigation plan approved by FEMA prior to the occurrence of a natural disaster. Municipalities can trust THC to assist in the planning and implementation of mitigation plans involving the acquisition of properties residing in floodplains.

Real Experience, Meeting Real Needs

THC has worked on projects involving disaster recovery and pre-disaster mitigation. As a result of flooding from Hurricane Floyd in September 1999, the City of Rocky Mount, NC chose THC to manage the buyout of more than 510 single and multi-family dwellings. We provided funding assistance, public workshops, homeowner liaison, intake interviews and needs assessments, comparable housing determinations, negotiations, relocation assistance to 714 families, and grant closeout services. The project was completed ahead of schedule and is nationally recognized as a landmark example of efficient disaster recovery.

THC also partners with communities to purchase properties residing in floodplain areas to reduce future damage to structures and individuals. THC is currently managing a mitigation program for Mecklenburg County, NC that is reducing the number of homes and commercial properties located in floodplains throughout the city of Charlotte. The purpose of this project is to protect the safety and health of the citizens of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County and to reduce future flood damages. Since property owner participation is voluntary, the county relies on THC to persuade property owners of the benefits of the buyout program. Using our approach of firmly establishing rapport with property owners through exhaustive communication tools and respectful negotiations, all property owners are participating in the buyout program. 

Clarifying FEMA Programs

A municipality searching for help in understanding the FEMA Mitigation Program and its supporting grants can trust THC to assist in the planning and implementation of mitigation measures involving land acquisition and relocation. With experience in both preventative and post disaster recovery programs, THC is partnering with communities to reduce future damage.