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North Carolina has requested federal funds that would cover almost half of the estimated damage caused in the state by Hurricane Helene. But less than 10% of that money has been awarded or received — despite months of public pressure on federal officials to release the money, leaders of the state’s recovery efforts in western North Carolina are expected to tell legislators Wednesday during a financial briefing.
The briefing before the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations is expected to include a breakdown of a new, $13.5 billion congressional funding request made this month by Gov. Josh Stein.
Helene, which hit North Carolina a year ago this week, caused about $59.62 billion in damage, according to the state. A combination of state and federal funds — plus billions in expected insurance payouts — are expected to cover about one-quarter of the total. But about $44.71 billion of the estimated damage from the deadly storm remains unfunded, according to a report by the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina released in advance of the hearing.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved about $1.3 billion in funds for North Carolina, but much of the public assistance funding has been delayed because of a new federal funding process, according to state leaders. Stein has pressed FEMA leaders in recent weeks to release the funds.
FEMA officials didn’t immediately respond to WRAL News’ requests for comment. Kristi Noem, who oversees FEMA as the U.S. secretary of Homeland Security, is scheduled to be in western North Carolina later this week.
Stein traveled to Washington this month to request $13.5 billion in additional funding from Congress. The state has also requested another $6 billion from federal agencies.
According to the state report, the congressional budget request includes:
- $8.37 billion in additional Community Development Block Grant disaster recovery funding to speed housing, infrastructure and economic revitalization efforts.
- $1.99 billion for Community Disaster Loans for local governments and the reinstatement of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program to help protect the state from future disasters.
- $1.77 billion from the U.S. Department of Transportation for infrastructure restoration.
- $500 million in additional State and Tribal Assistance Grant funding for water and sewer projects.
- $400 million from the Small Business Administration for small business grants and forgivable loans.
Matt Calabria, the director of GrowNC, and other leaders of the organization created by Gov. Josh Stein to oversee Helene recovery efforts, is expected to lead the update.
State Treasurer Brad Briner, meanwhile, is expected to provide an update on a new cashflow loan program aimed at helping local governments accelerate recovery efforts.
Officials from Yancey and Avery counties and an executive from Samaritan’s Purse, a nonprofit that has provided recovery assistance in western North Carolina, are also expected to speak at the hearing.
Transportation progress
On Tuesday, Stein highlighted infrastructure milestones made in western North Carolina, including improvements to highways, water management systems and state parks.
“North Carolina’s whole-of-government approach has made encouraging progress to repair roads and other critical infrastructure,” Stein said in a statement.
The state says that since the storm hit in late September 2024:
- 96% of water systems are back online
- 97% of state-maintained roads have reopened, and all of the state parks that were affected by the storm are partially or fully reopened
- About 98% of state roads in western North Carolina have at least partially reopened with 95% fully reopened.
There are still more than 6,500 bridges that need to be repaired, according to the state.
On Tuesday, state lawmakers passed a mini-budget that provides additional funds for disaster relief, economic development and infrastructure projects. The U.S. Department of Transportation also announced it will give western North Carolina $1.15 billion in federal funding. The DOT said it’s the largest single allocation of money under a federal relief program in DOT history. The federal DOT has now given the state nearly $2 billion.
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