| RALEIGH – The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Flood Resiliency Blueprint program (Blueprint) will hold a public information session on March 25 at 6 p.m. to provide an overview of the state’s science-based and stakeholder-driven flood mitigation planning initiative. Members of the public are invited to attend virtually via Webex.
The meeting will also provide information on the program’s online decision support tool and the ongoing development of River Basin Action Strategies. The Blueprint is designed to support the planning, evaluation and implementation of flood resilience strategies. It is the largest proactive statewide flood mitigation investment in North Carolina history, equipping local governments, the state and supporting organizations with data, tools and processes to guide strategic investments to reduce flood risk, fund priority projects and address gaps in mitigation efforts. Since 2024, the Blueprint has funded 81 flood resilience projects totaling more than $40 million in the six river basins designated by the NC General Assembly: Neuse, French Broad, White Oak, Tar Pamlico, Cape Fear and Lumber. The online decision support tool, or Blueprint tool, is a data- and model-driven GIS-enabled web application designed to:
The program will also deliver a River Basin Action Strategy for each basin. The action strategy will include a set of projects and funding strategies aimed at reducing flooding, lessening damage, and strengthening communities’ long-term resilience – their ability to withstand, adapt to and recover quickly from future disasters. There will be a chance for Q&A at the public information session. Questions can also be submitted via email to blueprint@deq.nc.gov. Event: NC Flood Resiliency Blueprint Public Information Session DEQ Flood Resiliency Blueprint to hold public information session
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Bogue Blizzard 2026
In late January into early February 2026, a powerful winter storm – technically classified as a bomb cyclone developed off the southeastern U.S. coast and strengthened rapidly. It brought heavy snow, strong winds, coastal flooding, and hazardous conditions across eastern North Carolina. Coastal areas, including Bogue and neighboring towns along the Crystal Coast, saw significant snowfall, far heavier than usual for this region, where totals of well over a foot (12 inches) of snow were documented. The area experienced high winds and heavy snowfall, creating blizzard-like conditions. Even in the aftermath of the snow event, cold temperatures and refreezing made travel hazardous for days. This was an unusual event for our area but a memorable one, sometimes being referred to as “Snowpocalypse” and “Snurricane”. Whatever terminology you choose, it will be remembered in Bogue for generations to come.



