Nichols is picking up the pieces again after being hit with Hurricane Matthew back in 2016 and Hurricane Florence, but now officials hope a new study will help this town.
“Our future for Nichols looks good, like everything else it takes time,” said town manager Sandy Rogers.
The town received a $1.5 million federal (HMG) Hazard Mitgation Grant for an in depth hydrology study to determine why this town continues to flood.
“The state itself is doing a hydrolody study for the Pee Dee river basin,” said Rogers.
Phase 1 of this grant is to complete the study. Governor McMaster asked town officials to put a sub committe in place which is currently made of hunters, fisherman and anyone familiar with wooded areas.
“They are pinpointing and plotting any trees down, anything that’s blocking water flowing out,” said Rogers. Once that’s completed, phase 2 will include fixing the problem. Officials hope the new study will prepare the town of Nichols for future floods.
“We’re looking for grants also to help divert water until the permanent fix can happen and then we can explore those opportunitues and what can happen,” said Rogers.
Rogers said Phase 1 of the Hydrology study is expected to be completed by the end of June 2019.
