FEMA has announced the allocation of $172 million in relief funds to address the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina. This funding will support a variety of recovery efforts, including property buyouts, debris removal, road repairs, and utility projects across 11 counties.
Representative Chuck Edwards of North Carolina revealed the funding details in a press release on Monday.
In Buncombe County, $29.1 million has been earmarked for the acquisition of 62 properties. These buyouts are part of FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which allows homeowners to sell their flood-damaged properties to the government. Once acquired, the land will be used for community projects such as parks and greenways.
As per Kevin Madsen, the Helene Recovery Officer for Buncombe County, this marks the fourth series of property approvals by FEMA. Of the 278 properties assessed, 251 have been approved, with further evaluations ongoing.
“We do have a number of properties that are still in review, and that may equate to a fifth batch, or they may get approved throughout the process as they’re reviewed by the federal partners,” he stated.
Since January, when the first batch was approved, progress has been slow. Although no demolitions have occurred yet, preliminary steps, including paperwork and permitting, are underway, Madsen shared with BPR.
The program ensures sellers receive a fair market value for their homes as assessed before the disaster. Post-purchase, the properties are demolished, and the land is preserved as open space for the county.
According to data from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, approximately 800 property owners statewide applied for this program, with over 400 approvals granted by FEMA.
$32 million for Yancey County
A significant portion of the funds, $32.2 million, has been allocated to Yancey County for the removal of waterway debris. The community has faced challenges dealing with the extensive debris left by the hurricane’s floodwaters, which destroyed infrastructure and carried away homes, trees, and vehicles.
In some instances, such as on the South Toe River, debris removal operations required assistance from a Blackhawk helicopter to extract large items like golf carts and trailers, as reported by local news.
Yancey County Manager Lynn Austin mentioned that the county has already spent over $55 million on debris removal efforts, which has strained the county’s $39 million annual budget.
“It has been a budget crunch,” Austin commented. “But when it’s all said, we hopefully are more resilient and stronger.”
So far, Yancey County has received $69 million from FEMA, with an estimated need for $110 million in total support from both state and federal levels.
“But we’re finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel,” she added. “FEMA is finally releasing some of those funds.”
This acceleration in funding follows changes in leadership at the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA. Kristi Noem’s previous requirement for personal approval of expenditures over $100,000 had slowed funding processes, but her successor, Markwayne Mullin, has committed to expediting aid.
The funding announcement also included:
- $21.5 million to NC Emergency Management for Jackson County waterway debris removal
- $18.1 million to NC Emergency Management for Henderson County waterway debris removal
- $14.5 million to NC Emergency Management for Lake Lure waterway sediment removal
For more details on the projects included in this funding round, view the full list of projects.
