North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Gov. Roy Cooper is in Washington, D.C., this week to request more than $25 billion in federal assistance to support recovery efforts in Western North Carolina following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. Cooper, accompanied by state and local leaders, will meet with President Joe Biden, Sens. Thom Tillis and Ted Budd, Rep. Chuck Edwards, and other federal officials to discuss the funding needed to rebuild the region.
The governor’s request totals $25.57 billion, based on a preliminary assessment by the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management, which estimates total damage from the storm at $53.6 billion—more than three times the damage caused by Hurricane Florence in 2018. “Hurricane Helene was the deadliest and most damaging storm our state has ever faced, and Western North Carolina needs our help to rebuild,” Cooper said. “The recovery ahead is long, complex, and costly, and it will require immediate and significant funding from both the federal and state governments to ensure our communities can fully recover.”
The $25.57 billion request includes significant funding for rebuilding infrastructure and supporting disaster relief. More than $7.4 billion is requested from the U.S. Department of Transportation and FEMA to repair critical infrastructure, including highways, roads, bridges, and airports. Another $6 billion is sought from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to address housing recovery, water quality initiatives, and infrastructure rebuilding, including the restoration of private roads and bridges.
Additionally, FEMA’s Community Disaster Loan Program is being asked to provide $1.75 billion to assist local governments facing financial hardship. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has been asked for $1.67 billion to support farmers and ranchers with crop and timber loss, watershed protection, and rural infrastructure rebuilding. The Small Business Administration is requested to provide $1.23 billion in low-interest loans to homeowners, renters, and businesses affected by the storm.
In addition to the federal request, Cooper has proposed a state-level recovery package of $3.9 billion to address immediate rebuilding needs. However, state lawmakers have yet to approve significant funding for recovery efforts, with some prioritizing taxpayer-funded vouchers for private schools over relief for Western North Carolina.
As of now, more than $244 million in FEMA Individual Assistance has been distributed to storm survivors in the region, with more than 260,000 registrations for aid. Nearly 9,000 individuals have received assistance through FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance program, and more than 6,000 small businesses have applied for recovery loans. Close to 2,000 FEMA staff members are on the ground in Western North Carolina, providing search and rescue operations, offering direct assistance to survivors, and helping with recovery efforts in shelters and affected neighborhoods. North Carolinians impacted by the storm can apply for disaster assistance by calling 1-800-621-3362, visiting disasterassistance.gov, or using the FEMA app.
Power restoration continues across the region, with about 554 customers still without electricity, down from a peak of more than 1 million. Crews are working around the clock to restore power, though outages may fluctuate as repairs are made. As of the latest report, 103 storm-related fatalities have been confirmed in North Carolina, though that number is expected to rise. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates as more information becomes available. Residents are urged to call 911 in case of an emergency or if they believe someone may be in danger.
Cooper’s trip to Washington marks a critical step in securing the resources necessary for the long-term recovery of Western North Carolina. The funding request highlights the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Helene and the ongoing challenges facing the region’s recovery efforts. For more information on disaster assistance and to apply for aid, residents are encouraged to visit disasterassistance.gov.
