Recovery efforts continue across western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene, but many families remain displaced and rebuilding needs remain high.
This week in Washington, D.C., Governor Josh Stein met with North Carolina’s congressional delegation to thank them and urge additional federal funding for hurricane recovery. He also met with acting FEMA Administrator Karen Evans to push for faster action and continued collaboration.
Stein was joined by Western North Carolina Advisory Committee Co-Chairs Mayor Esther Manheimer and Senator Kevin Corbin.
The governor requested $13.5 billion in additional federal funding to support long-term recovery, which includes:
- $1.77 billion from the U.S. Department of Transportation to repair roads.
- $8.37 billion from HUD to help homeowners rebuild.
- $1.99 billion from FEMA to provide forgivable loans for local governments
- $540 million from the EPA to restore damaged water systems.
Stein compared North Carolina’s recovery to other major disasters. Hurricanes Katrina, Maria, and Sandy received more than 70 percent federal coverage. By contrast, North Carolina has received $7 billion, or about 12 percent of the total damage so far. The new request would raise federal support to 47 percent.
Stein also urged FEMA to act on pending Hazard Mitigation Grant Program applications. He welcomed approval of the first homeowner buyouts but said many remain unresolved.
“The federal government has committed just over $7 billion toward western North Carolina’s recovery since Hurricane Helene. While we are grateful for every dollar and this aid has been critical to our recovery work, it represents only 12 percent of the storm’s total damage,” said Governor Josh Stein in a press release. “Typically, the federal government contributes about 50% of damage to the impacted state. It’s been more than a year since Congress has delivered relief for western North Carolina, and it’s time for the people of western North Carolina to get their fair share. Disaster recovery is a team sport, and western North Carolinians can’t afford for the federal government to sit on the sidelines.”
North Carolina has submitted more than 550 buyout applications worth $240 million. Delays have left some homeowners paying mortgages on destroyed homes.
The governor said he will continue pressing FEMA to move faster so families can plan their futures.
