North Carolina has reached a major recovery milestone, investing more than $1 billion to rebuild drinking water and wastewater systems devastated by Hurricane Helene while preparing communities for future storms.
The funding has helped restore 98% of the water systems damaged by Hurricane Helene, although officials estimate more than $758 million in additional repairs are still needed.
“Twenty-one months after Hurricane Helene devastated communities throughout western North Carolina, I am proud of the Department of Environmental Quality’s billion-dollar commitment toward ensuring North Carolinians have access to clean and safe water,” said Governor Josh Stein in a press release. “Hurricane Helene left the people of Burnsville without clean drinking water for weeks, but with DEQ’s support, Burnsville is on track to provide its residents with clean, safe, and dependable water. We must continue building better and more resilient water and wastewater systems to protect future North Carolinians from storm damage.”
Burnsville, one of the hardest-hit communities, received $13 million to improve its drinking water supply, distribution system, and sewer infrastructure. That funding builds on an earlier $4.5 million in emergency assistance, bringing the town’s total state water infrastructure investment to more than $17 million.
State leaders also highlighted North Carolina’s recently approved budget, which includes more than $700 million for Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. The package provides funding to repair dams, map landslide risks, and strengthen critical infrastructure across western North Carolina.
In addition to rebuilding damaged systems, DEQ is investing in long-term resilience projects designed to reduce future flood risks. The agency has already funded 19 flood resilience projects totaling $10 million in the French Broad River Basin and announced plans to update the state’s 2020 Risk and Resilience Plan using lessons learned from Hurricane Helene.
Despite the progress, officials say significant work remains. Governor Stein recently asked Congress for an additional $10 billion in federal recovery funding, including $1 billion specifically for water quality improvements, drinking water infrastructure, river restoration, and hazardous waste management.
Congress has not approved additional Hurricane Helene recovery funding since 2024.
