Wilmington District Emergency Repairs Following Disasters

Official Statements

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District, November 9: “Wilmington District's New Emergency Permit Poised to Streamline Outer Banks Recovery Efforts

  Wilmington, N.C. - Powerful waves battered North Carolina's Outer Banks during two consecutive nor'easters, washing across NC Highway 12 and leaving sections of the roadway fractured and severely damaged. For communities that depend on the highway for access to homes, businesses, emergency services and ferry operations, the damage underscores the importance of restoring critical infrastructure as quickly as possible. As the North Carolina Department of Transportation works to restore access along the damaged roadway, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District is preparing to use a newly established emergency permitting process to help streamline the next phase of recovery efforts. On Sept. 10, 2026, the District issued Regional General Permit 07 (RGP 07), creating a more efficient process for authorizing qualifying emergency repairs and protective measures throughout North Carolina. Although initial stabilization and temporary repairs along Highway 12 occurred in previously approved areas and did not require additional federal Section 404 permits, the District intends to use RGP 07 to evaluate and potentially authorize additional work needed to protect and restore the damaged transportation corridor. The effort reflects the District's commitment to reducing unnecessary regulatory delays while maintaining environmental protections and supporting communities recovering from severe weather.

  Lessons Learned from Hurricane Helene

  During recovery operations following Hurricane Helene, the Wilmington District identified a significant obstacle affecting emergency repairs across North Carolina. Although District regulatory personnel could often expedite federal emergency permit reviews within 24 to 48 hours, applicants still needed to obtain separate state water quality certifications before the District could finalize its authorization. According to Tommy Fennel, chief of the Wilmington District's Regulatory Division, obtaining the necessary state certification previously took at least 30 days, even when the federal review had already been completed. For communities dealing with damaged roads, disrupted utilities and other storm-related impacts, those additional weeks could delay critical recovery activities. Recognizing the need for a more efficient process, the District's Regulatory Division worked with the state of North Carolina to develop a permitting framework that would reduce administrative delays while maintaining environmental protections. The result was RGP 07. The new permit incorporates applicable state environmental certifications into its framework, eliminating the need for separate certification reviews for qualifying activities that meet the permit's terms and conditions. It also removes another administrative step. Previously, the Wilmington District generally had to request authorization to implement emergency procedures through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers South Atlantic Division. Under RGP 07, the District can evaluate qualifying emergency activities directly without first requesting activation of those procedures. Together, these changes establish a coordinated federal-state permitting framework designed to help communities begin emergency recovery work more efficiently.+

  Supporting the Next Phase of Highway 12 Recovery The recent damage along Highway 12 provides an opportunity to demonstrate how the new permitting process can support emergency recovery efforts. Following two consecutive nor'easters, portions of the highway sustained extensive damage as powerful surf washed across the roadway, undermining sections of pavement and threatening an essential transportation connection. NCDOT has been conducting initial stabilization and temporary repairs while working to restore public access. According to Wilmington District Regulatory officials, those initial activities occurred in previously approved areas and did not require additional Section 404 permits. As tidal conditions improve, NCDOT is working to establish a temporary travel-way for the public while continuing to assess the damage and develop plans for additional repairs. The next phase of recovery is expected to involve work within waters of the United States, including construction of a protective sandbag alignment. Regulatory officials are also coordinating with NCDOT on a proposed effort to relocate a portion of the roadway farther from the oceanfront. The District intends to use RGP 07 to evaluate the proposed emergency work once NCDOT completes its assessment, addresses applicable regulatory requirements and submits its final plans. Although authorization for this additional work has not yet been issued, the new permit provides an established framework for reviewing qualifying emergency activities without the need to initiate the previous emergency permitting process. The coordination illustrates how federal and state agencies can work together to address infrastructure challenges while maintaining appropriate environmental oversight.

  Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork The implementation of RGP 07 reflects the Wilmington District's broader efforts to improve efficiency, streamline regulatory processes and support the timely delivery of critical infrastructure. The permit's benefits extend beyond major disasters such as hurricanes. RGP 07 also provides a more responsive authorization process for qualifying localized emergencies, including damage to transportation infrastructure, utilities, waterways and flood protection measures. Under the previous process, even relatively localized emergencies could require additional coordination and separate state certifications before repairs could proceed. By establishing a coordinated permitting framework in advance, the District and its state partners are better positioned to respond when communities face immediate threats to public safety, property and essential services. Importantly, streamlining the process does not eliminate environmental protections. Emergency activities must still meet the permit's terms and conditions, and certain projects require additional notification, review or coordination before work can begin. Instead, RGP 07 reduces unnecessary administrative steps while preserving the District's responsibility to protect the nation's aquatic resources. For North Carolina communities recovering from severe weather, the intended benefits are straightforward: fewer regulatory delays, more responsive emergency authorizations and improved coordination between federal and state agencies. As recovery efforts continue along Highway 12, the Wilmington District is working with NCDOT and other regulatory partners to evaluate the next phase of emergency repairs. The effort demonstrates how lessons learned from previous disasters can help improve preparedness and establish more efficient processes before the next emergency occurs. By identifying regulatory challenges and working collaboratively to address them, the District is helping ensure that when disaster strikes, critical recovery efforts have a clearer path forward.”