(The Center Square) – More than $116 million in federal funds to help recovery from Hurricane Helene is on the way to North Carolina, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Wednesday.
The rebuild or restoration of critical infrastructure, clearing debris from roads and repairing bridges and roads will get the lion’s share at more than $72 million. Another $44.6 million is to be used for prevention of future flooding and severe weather.
Noem, in a release, said the advocacy of U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley, Sen. Ted Budd, and Reps. Virginia Foxx, Chuck Edwards and David Rouzer were instrumental in the decision.
“This investment will repair and restore critical public infrastructure across North Carolina, including schools, public safety facilities, utilities, and community services,” Noem said. “North Carolina communities are rebuilding stronger, and today’s approvals show this administration’s commitment to cutting red tape and getting recovery dollars out the door faster.”
Homeland Security said more than $1 billion has been provided to the recovery efforts in what is arguably the state’s worst natural disaster. In addition, $549 million in grants have gone out to survivors.
More than 300 sites in the western North Carolina counties of Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Caldwell, Henderson, Mitchell, Surry and Watauga will receive $34.7 million in FEMA public assistance grants. In Rutherford County, removal of nearly 700,000 cubic yards of debris; 75,000 trees and limbs in public rights of way; and operation of four debris reduction sites will be aided by $17.6 million.
Asheville is recipient of $10.5 million for potable water distribution, the repair or replacement of more than 100 fleet vehicles, DeBruhl Water Treatment Plant repairs, and road repairs. Beech Mountain is getting $3.7 million for repairs to the town’s sewer system and wastewater treatment plant.
The Hazard Mitigation Program awards include approximately $14.2 million for acquisition of flood-prone properties in Buncombe County, approximately $9.2 million for acquisition of flood-prone properties in Henderson County, and approximately $2.5 million to elevate 14 homes in Beaufort County. Buncombe and Henderson counties are in the mountains, Beaufort along the coast.
Foxx, chairwoman of the Rules Committee in the House of Representatives, and her husband lost vehicle access to their home in Banner Elk when the storm hit on the last weekend of September 2024.
“For over a year, I’ve advocated relentlessly for western North Carolina with DHS as well as FEMA to allocate additional funding to help our area rebuild and recover – today’s announcement by DHS is welcome news indeed,” Foxx said. “These funding patches will play a positive role in the repairing and restoration of critical public infrastructure priorities that need significant attention.”
This is the 68th week of recovery from Hurricane Helene. The storm killed 108 in the state, 237 in the South, and caused an estimated $60 billion to $80 billion in damage in North Carolina.
Lawmakers in Raleigh have funneled more than $1.1 billion into the recovery efforts. Federal response included a December 2024 appropriation of about $9 billion from a nationwide $110 billion package.
The storm made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in Dekle Beach, Fla., on Sept. 26, 2024. It dissipated over the mountains of the state and Tennessee, dropping more than 30 inches in some places and over 24 consistently across more.
Roads, both federal, state and private, took a beating in the aftermath. At peak, more than 1,400 state-maintained roads were closed; nearly 850 bridges were impacted; and another 2,000 pipes and culverts needed repair.
Commerce and tourism were impacted by the loss of Interstate 40 between Asheville and Knoxville, Tenn. Two eastbound lanes fell into the Pigeon River about 4 miles into North Carolina. I-26 and U.S. 64 also had catastrophic damage.
