(The Center Square) – North Carolina and Tennessee were cleared this week for $352.6 million in Emergency Relief funds in the “quick release” process by the Federal Highway Administration from within the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Money is being handled by respective departments of transportation in the two states, and in North Carolina by the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service. The funds are in addition to $167 million to the two states for Hurricane Helene recovery efforts.
The Highway Administration said multiple states sustained damage such as landslides, rock falls, washouts, pipe blowouts, undermining, scour, bridge collapses and downed trees. Federally eligible damage estimates are more than $4 billion.
For Interstate 40, there is $250 million of the package going to the North Carolina Department of Transportation and part of $70 million for the Tennessee DOT that goes to I-40 and I-26.
The National Park Service is getting $25 million for repairs along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The U.S. Forest Service was awarded $7.6 million.
Gloria Shepherd, the interim deputy administrator of the Highway Administration, in a release said, “The Federal Highway Administration is working closely with Tennessee, North Carolina, the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service to ensure all roads and bridges are operational and made whole again to restore mobility for residents and businesses and support the region’s economy. The funding will go toward restoring major critical routes that the region relies upon for productivity and roads and bridges that support tourism by connecting Americans to the region’s natural resources.”
Pete Buttigieg, the Transportation Department secretary, said the funding will continue “important work and provide vital aid to the communities and states that have been impacted by this disaster.”
Helene made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in Dekle Beach, Fla., on Sept. 26. It was expected to come north to the Appalachian Mountains; however, the rainfall total from its dissipation there exceeded all forecasts.
Helene killed 104 in North Carolina and 18 in Tennessee. Estimated damage in North Carolina was $53 billion, according to former Gov. Roy Cooper. Volunteer State lawmakers are expected to consider a $450 million disaster relief package during a special session; damage is estimated at $1.35 billion for the state.
