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Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
EPA allocates $409M to NC to prepare local water infrastructure for future disasters
ASHEVILLE – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has allocated $409.4 million to the state to prepare local drinking water utilities for future natural disasters. Tropical Storm Helene knocked out Asheville's water system in September, leaving its 160,000 customers without potable water for seven weeks. Even after repairs, the system is more vulnerable to future storms. 'In February, I visited communities in Asheville to witness firsthand the crucial role drinking water utilities have in responding to natural disasters,' EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said in an Aug. 11 news release. 'This funding to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality will help secure the infrastructure of these systems to ensure EPA can fulfill its core mission to protect human health and the environment.' More: Trump EPA admin Zeldin visits Asheville, talks riverfront debris, pollution, businesses The storm killed more than 100 people and caused an estimated $60 billion in damage. Asheville Water Department spokesperson Clay Chandler said the funding would be "critical" to the operation of water systems across the state. 'This money will be put to good use, not only here in Asheville, but there are other water systems in Western North Carolina who need it, too," he told the Citizen Times Aug. 13. In Burnsville, a town in Yancey County, northeast of Asheville, Helene destroyed both of its raw water intakes, leaving residents, businesses, schools, medical facilities and government agencies without water, Mayor Russell Fox said in the release. The town is still running on a temporary pumping system until the primary intake system can be rebuilt. More: Helene spared their home. But without a bridge, living there isn't easy. Old Fort, in McDowell County, also saw its water system destroyed. It was brought back 'as quickly as possible' with "Band-aid repairs," Mayor Pam Snypes said in the release, but the last 10 months have been spent making repairs more efficient. 'Repairs are very expensive,' Snypes said. 'The availability of these funds will provide a way to ensure going forward that our water system will be a stable system in the event another disaster occurs.' The nearly $400 million is part of the 2025 Supplemental Appropriation for Helene, Milton and the Hawaii wildfires, administered by the state revolving fund. Dollars can be used to improve drinking water treatment, distribute water, improve the source of water supply, replace or construct finished water storage tanks and complete other projects needed to protect public health through drinking water infrastructure. Sen. Ted Budd applauded the allocation in an Aug. 12 release. He said repairing Western North Carolina's damaged infrastructure is a 'key component' of ongoing recovery efforts. 'This is a step in the right direction to aid reconstruction efforts and mitigate future natural disasters,' he said. Though dollars are earmarked for water infrastructure improvements, it is not yet dedicated to specific projects, Chandler said. WNC water utilities will have to apply for funding, attaching various projects to their applications. As of May, the federal government had awarded the state $3.8 billion for Helene recovery. The state has approved more than $2 billion in disaster aid over four bills. Status of Asheville water projects? In July, the city approved two multimillion-dollar contracts to sustain operations of a temporary water pretreatment system installed after the storm. The systems were described as a 'needed redundancy' if turbidity spikes again in the city's reservoirs. The city is working toward eventual installation of a permanent solution — a $150 million to $200 million project and a buildout that could take up to five years. The temporary pretreatment systems have been operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at two city water treatment plants for months and funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. At North Fork, the city's largest treatment plant, that contract ended Aug. 9 and contractor CDM Smith, Inc. took over operations. The contract at William DeBruhl, a smaller plant in Swannanoa, ends Aug. 18, with a separate contractor ready to take over. The city applied for funding for the temporary and permanent systems through FEMA's Public Assistance program, which provides supplemental grants to local governments impacted by disasters. It does not have a timeline for when funding might be awarded. The temporary systems will be in place at both water plants at least until late September, Chandler said. The city is negotiating to have them remain for as long as possible, or until a permanent solution is in place. Chandler said the city will likely apply for EPA funds for the permanent pretreatment system. The city is still exploring if the temporary system could be eligible for that funding. More: Asheville approves two new contracts aimed at stabilizing water access More: Asheville Citizen Times staff recognized for journalism excellence in Helene coverage Sarah Honosky is the city government reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. News Tips? Email shonosky@ or message on Twitter at @slhonosky. This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: U.S. EPA: $409M for NC water utility infrastructure after Helene Solve the daily Crossword
Fox News
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Fisherman lands enormous 56-pound almaco jack, breaking state record
An angler just broke a new fishing record in the Tarheel State. Warren Poirier of Charles City, Virginia, caught a 56-pound, 4.8-ounce almaco jack in the state of North Carolina. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality's (NCDEQ) Division of Marine Fisheries recently certified the new record for the fish. Poirier was fishing at the "The Rocks" in the Outer Banks along with Captain James Bowman, according to an NCDEQ press release. The fish struck Poirier's Zest brand jig as he was battling the amaco jack, also known as a seriola rivoliana, for 45 minutes. Poirier also used his Shimano Trevala rod and Saltist 5000 reel with an 80-pound braid, the release noted. The fish stretched 46 inches fork length, from the tip of the nose to the fork in the tail, with a 31-inch girth. Almaco jacks have long bodies with a dusky color and light amber/olive stripes down their sides, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries. North Carolina's previous almaco jack record was recorded in 2024 at 33 pounds and 12.6 ounces, according to the NCDEQ press release. Poirier weighed his fish at the Teach's Lair Marina in Hatteras. Almaco jacks can grow up to a little over 5 feet long and up to 136 pounds, according to NOAA Fisheries. They can be found in the Atlantic, Gulf of America, Pacific Islands and occasionally Southern California.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Area of Carteret County under swim advisory due to presence of bacteria
CARTERET COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT) — A small island in Carteret County West of the Atlantic Beach Bridge in Bogue Inlet is under a swim advisory. Officials with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality said samples taken from the area tested positive for a bacteria group that is found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. Due to that, they recommend to avoid swimming in the area. 'When we find that detectable limit of bacteria, there's also things in the water that can make you sick, like salmonella or Environmental Program Supervisor with NCDEQ Erin Bryan-Millush said. 'The types of things that, from swimming in areas that are polluted with fecal indicator bacteria, would be a gastrointestenal illness or skin rash, those types of things.' The NCDEQ expects to have results for whether or not the advisory can be lifted by Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Newsweek
21-04-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
More Than 13,000 Children Warned Against Outdoor Exposure in One State
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. North Carolina officials issued an air quality alert across three western counties on Sunday, advising some residents to limit outdoor activity through midnight Tuesday because of the presence of unhealthy levels of smoke from nearby wildfires. The advisory particularly impacts children and other sensitive groups in Swain, Graham and McDowell counties. The Code Orange alert, issued by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ), signals that air pollution levels are "unhealthy for sensitive groups" and that fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, could approach or exceed federally recognized unsafe levels. Why It Matters The alert affects thousands of young residents across the mountainous western region of North Carolina, where smoke from ongoing wildfires has continued to worsen air quality. Public health officials say prolonged exposure to fine particles in wildfire smoke can aggravate conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and other heart or lung diseases. Children are among the most vulnerable because of their developing respiratory systems and tendency to spend more time outdoors. What to Know The official advisory from NCDEQ went into effect at 3:17 p.m. Sunday and remains active through midnight Tuesday. The air quality alert includes the cities of Alarka, Almond, Bryson City, Luada, Wesser, Robbinsville, Stecoah, Ashford, Sugar Hill, Woodlawn, Old Fort, Marion, Nebo, Dysartsville, Fero, and Glenwood. According to U.S. Census data, there are more than 13,000 children under 18 years old across the three counties. A map from AirNow shows which parts of North Carolina could see air quality that is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups on Monday. A map from AirNow shows which parts of North Carolina could see air quality that is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups on Monday. AirNow "Code Orange Air Quality Action Day will remain in effect... due to ongoing smoke from wildfires in those counties," NCDEQ wrote in a statement on X, formerly Twitter. Under Code Orange conditions, sensitive groups—including children, the elderly and those with preexisting heart or lung conditions—are advised to limit prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors. A NCDEQ spokesperson told Newsweek that daily air quality forecasts are released around 3 p.m. for the following day. School districts and caregivers in the affected zones are encouraged to follow EPA-issued guidelines to reduce children's exposure. The agency recommends keeping children indoors during recess, rescheduling outdoor athletic activities, and using air filters in homes and classrooms. What People Are Saying A spokesperson for the North Carolina DEQ said in a video posted to X, formerly Twitter, on Monday: "Code Orange is Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups including older adults, children, and those with heart or lung conditions like asthma. These groups experience health effects and should limit prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors." The spokesperson added: "Please continue to monitor the air quality in your area as you plan your outdoor activities." AirNow in a description for orange-coded air quality: "Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected." What Happens Next The NCDEQ urged residents to continue monitoring air quality through the state's climate portal, which is regularly updated. If wildfire conditions persist or worsen, alerts may be extended or expanded to additional counties.
