Exclusive: Rutherford County Commissioners to approve 23 Helene buyouts

Rutherford County commissioners are scheduled to consider a resolution Monday, Oct. 5, authorizing two county officials to handle disaster assistance matters as a Hurricane Helene acquisition project advances with 23 properties approved by FEMA.

WCAB News obtained the public record identifying those properties through open-source investigative tools. Another 13 properties included in the county’s original application remain under FEMA review.

The public-facing meeting agenda lists the item as: “D. ID 26-4634 Rutherford County 4827-0013 Acquisition Project” and under attachments, it lists “Designation of Applicant's Agent.”

That agenda listing does not identify the properties, explain that 23 of 36 have received FEMA awards or describe the status of the remaining applications. WCAB News obtained those details from the underlying public record for the project.

Monday’s recommended motion is to approve the resolution designating the county’s applicant agents. It is an administrative step in moving the project forward, rather than evidence that property purchases have been completed.

Commissioners are scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. in the Commission Chambers at 289 N. Main St. in Rutherfordton.

What the resolution would authorize

The proposed “Designation of Applicant’s Agent” resolution names County Manager Scott Webber as the primary agent and Deputy County Manager/Planning Director Danny Searcy as the secondary agent.

If approved, it would authorize them to execute and file applications for federal or state assistance on Rutherford County’s behalf under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act or other available assistance programs.

It would also authorize them to represent the county in dealings with North Carolina and FEMA concerning disaster assistance, grant agreements and required assurances.

The resolution authorizes the agents to act “severally,” meaning each could exercise the delegated authority individually.

The form identifies the NC Department of Public Safety’s Division of Emergency Management as the county’s state cognizant agency for single-audit purposes. It lists Bryan King as chairman and Hazel Haynes as clerk to the board and certifying official.

Although the proposed document contains language stating it was passed and approved Oct. 5, that wording is part of the resolution prepared for consideration.

FEMA approved 23; 13 remain under review

North Carolina Emergency Management’s acquisition tracker, updated Sept. 22, identifies Sept. 2, 2026, as the award date for Rutherford County’s 23 approved properties. Their project status is listed as contracting.

The county’s original application included 36 properties. Its project summary says the remaining 13 are still under FEMA review and may be approved later. If that happens, another award letter would be sent to NCEM and the community would be notified.

The legislative item was created Sept. 29. Its budget field reads “N/A,” and the summary does not provide a total award amount or individual purchase offers.

The property list, exactly as recorded

The following list preserves the county public record’s numbering, address wording and community labels. WCAB News has not regrouped the entries by town or road. Addresses on the same road appear in different portions of the list because that is how the public record presents them.

The spellings “Fall Creek Drive” and “Falls Creek Drive,” along with the notation “199 Adj,” are retained as recorded.

No.	Address	City	State	ZIP code
1	179 River Creek Drive	Rutherfordton	NC	28139
2	215 E Main Street	Chimney Rock	NC	28720
3	307 Main Street	Chimney Rock	NC	28720
4	169 Southside Drive	Chimney Rock	NC	28720
5	181 Southside Drive	Chimney Rock	NC	28720
6	177 River Creek Drive	Rutherfordton	NC	28139
7	395 Redbird Drive	Lake Lure	NC	28746
8	343 Bolt Road	Lake Lure	NC	28746
9	159 Southside Drive	Chimney Rock	NC	28720
10	177 Southside Drive	Chimney Rock	NC	28720
11	187 Fall Creek Drive (199 Adj)	Chimney Rock	NC	28720
12	187 Southside Drive	Chimney Rock	NC	28720
13	209 Southside Drive	Chimney Rock	NC	28720
14	211 Fall Creek Drive	Chimney Rock	NC	28720
15	212 River Creek Drive	Rutherfordton	NC	28139
16	233 Fall Creek Drive	Chimney Rock	NC	28720
17	247 Falls Creek Drive	Chimney Rock	NC	28720
18	249 Southside Drive	Chimney Rock	NC	28720
19	251 Fall Creek Drive	Chimney Rock	NC	28720
20	273 Main Street	Lake Lure	NC	28746
21	306 Southside Drive	Chimney Rock	NC	28720
22	375 Redbird Drive	Lake Lure	NC	28746
23	3207 Memorial Highway	Lake Lure	NC	28746

The table contains 15 entries labeled Chimney Rock, five labeled Lake Lure and three labeled Rutherfordton. These reproduce the county’s community labels rather than independently establishing municipal boundaries.

The underlying public record also provides latitude and longitude coordinates. The accompanying map follows the same property numbering.

What buyouts mean for owners

The acquisitions fall under FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which funds projects intended to reduce future disaster losses.

Participation is voluntary. According to NCEM, homeowners may decline the program, and acquired properties are purchased at approximately their value the day before the disaster.

After an owner accepts an offer, a real estate closing occurs. Structures are demolished, and the property is permanently maintained as green space.

FEMA’s award establishes funding approval, but contracting, surveys, offers and closings remain part of completing acquisitions.

It remains unclear why it was delayed at the state level under NCEM, since Congressman Tim Moore (R, 14th District) said the funding was released in an August press release. That said, in part:

“Recovery from Hurricane Helene is about rebuilding while also making our communities safer for the future,” said Rep. Moore. "This funding will help Rutherford...address properties at risk of future flooding and landslides and better protect against future storms. I appreciate President Trump, Secretary Mullin, and the folks at FEMA for continuing to prioritize Western North Carolina's recovery.” $10,638,923.44 will go to Rutherford County to fund the acquisition and demolition of 23 properties impacted by Hurricane Helene. The acquired properties will be returned to green space and deed restricted to reduce the risk of future damage from flooding and landslides. This funding is authorized under Section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Act. $400,000 will go to Rutherford County to support management costs associated with the acquisition and demolition of 23 properties impacted by Hurricane Helene. This funding is authorized under Section 324 of the Robert T. Stafford Act.