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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The sounds of construction continue to echo through the mountains of western North Carolina, nearly a year after Hurricane Helene tore through the region.
“That storm’s devastation turned millions of people’s lives upside down,” Gov. Josh Stein said.
Helene’s destruction forced more than 1,400 road closures. Stein noted the storm left behind enough debris to fill 5,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
“Folks became totally disconnected. No communications, no water, no electricity, no means to get from one place to the other,” he said.
Some of the most severe damage was in the Pigeon River Gorge and along Interstate 40.
Crews work to repair western North Carolina roads nearly a year after Helene caused devastating flooding. (Spectrum News 1/Jordan Kudisch)
On March 1, crews reopened a four-mile stretch with a lane in each direction.
“I’m glad we have this sound of traffic through this press conference, because it means people can get from North Carolina to Tennessee and places beyond,” Stein said.
The governor highlighted progress across the state, pointing out that almost all state-maintained roads closed by Helene are now back open. “Just a year later, 97% of all state-maintained roads closed by Helene have been reopened,” Stein said to applause.
But Stein also issued a warning — the money secured so far isn’t enough.
“I’m grateful for every federal dollar that the state has received. But to be frank, it isn’t enough. The average federal contribution to a state after a major storm as a percentage of the total damage is about 50%. Today, North Carolina has received 11%,” he said.
Stein is pressing Congress for more aid.
“I am calling on Congress to pass a new $13.5 billion appropriation to send more support our way. The people of western North Carolina deserve their fair share,” he said.
Gov. Josh Stein visits western North Carolina on Friday, almost a year since Helene struck. (Spectrum News 1/Jordan Kudisch)
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Jordan Kudisch
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