North Carolina Resilient Coastal Communities Program (RCCP)
The Town of Southern Shores is partnering with the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management (DCM) through the Resilient Coastal Communities Program (RCCP). This initiative provides the funding and technical expertise needed to better prepare for flooding, storms, and rising sea levels.
The RCCP is a four-phase process. Southern Shores is currently working through Phases 1 and 2, which focus on understanding our specific risks and creating a plan of action.
Phase 1: Understanding Our Vulnerabilities
Before we can fix problems, we must understand them. In this phase, the project team will analyze data, maps, and local studies to pinpoint how flooding and erosion impact our town.
- What we are doing: Assessing the safety of critical infrastructure, natural environments, and public assets.
- Community Role: We will gather input from residents to ensure local knowledge is part of the solution.
- The Goal: A clear map of where Southern Shores is most at risk.
Phase 2: Creating a Strategy
Using the data from Phase 1, we will develop a Resilience Project Portfolio, a prioritized list of real-world solutions.
- What we are doing: Identifying structural and nature-based projects to protect property and resources.
- How we decide: Projects are ranked based on feasibility, funding availability, and community benefit.
- The Goal: A list of high-priority projects that we can design and fund in Phase 3.
Community engagement is central to the RCCP process. A Community Action Team (CAT), made up of local residents and civic representatives, is helping guide the effort by sharing on-the-ground knowledge, reviewing data, and providing input on potential solutions. The CAT includes Mayor Elizabeth Morey, Lori Trawinski, Robert McClendon, Nancy Sheehan, and Richard Filling.
Residents are encouraged to take a few minutes to complete the online survey and share their experiences. Input will help shape a prioritized list of projects to reduce risk and improve long-term resilience.
Take the survey
Additional opportunities for public involvement will be available throughout the process, including community events and an interactive project website with maps, updates, and draft materials.
For more information, click here.