Governor Roy Cooper just announced that President Joe Biden approved a request to increase federal cost coverage for Western North Carolina disaster relief programs.
The federal government will now cover 90% of eligible Public Assistance, Hazard Mitigation, and Other Needs Assistance expenses for Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, up from the usual 75%. This adjustment significantly reduces the state’s financial burden for recovery projects.
Public Assistance funding will reimburse costs for debris removal, infrastructure repairs, and emergency protective measures. Hazard Mitigation provides resources to reduce future damages, such as elevating buildings or property buyouts in flood-prone areas. Other Needs Assistance offers financial support for disaster-related expenses, including medical care, property replacement, and vehicle repairs.
“A complete recovery in Western North Carolina will require an investment of billions of dollars and agreement by the Biden Harris Administration to cover more of the cost is a tremendous boost to our efforts,” said Governor Roy Cooper in a press release. “We will continue working to get more funding into Western North Carolina so we can rebuild our communities in stronger and more resilient ways.”
North Carolina lawmakers are also advocating for long-term resilience investments. Senator Thom Tillis has urged Congress to replenish the Small Business Administration’s disaster loan program, which ran out of funding in October, to ensure continued disaster recovery support.
Here are additional ways you can continue to help;
#1 Volunteer your time:
– Samaritan’s Purse Volunteer Signup
– Appalachian Medical Reserve Corps Volunteer Signup
– North Carolina Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
#2 Donate your money:
– Red Cross
– Salvation Army of The Carolinas
– JAARS
– World Central Kitchen
– Cajun Navy
– Samaritan’s Purse
– Baptists on Mission
– Americares Helene Relief Effort
– Community Housing Coalition (CHC) of Madison County
– BeLoved Asheville
– Hope Mill Inc’s Hurricane Relief
#3 Donate supplies:
– Operation Airdrop
– Foster Family Alliance of NC
– Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry
– NC Mountains Emergency Response Facebook Group
