FEMA Allocates Additional $260 Million for Hurricane Helene Recovery
In a significant move to bolster recovery efforts in North Carolina, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced $260 million in reimbursements to local governments and state agencies. This funding aims to aid recovery from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene.
This financial assistance addresses a backlog exacerbated by a prior policy from former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Her successor, Markwayne Mullin, who assumed office in March, has pledged to reverse this policy.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees FEMA, has faced funding challenges due to a 68-day shutdown. This disruption has significantly impacted the Disaster Relief Fund, FEMA’s main resource for disaster response and recovery.
The announcement follows Mullin’s recent visit to Chimney Rock, where he met with recovery officials and reinforced the agency’s commitment to resolving the funding backlog in North Carolina. “I’ve seen firsthand the determination and hard work of those in North Carolina who are still working to rebuild and recover after Helene,” Mullin stated in a press release.
Mullin emphasized, “This additional funding is another step in our commitment to make sure communities have the support they need to clear debris, rebuild critical infrastructure and move forward. DHS and FEMA will continue to stand with North Carolina through every stage of their recovery.”
Many local governments have experienced delays in receiving these funds, which are crucial for debris removal post-storm. Some counties have spent beyond their annual budgets to manage the cleanup.
FEMA covers 90% of the recovery costs for local governments, with the state covering the remaining 10%. Significant reimbursements include:
- $125.5 million to North Carolina Emergency Management for emergency measures and debris removal.
- $57.6 million to the North Carolina Department of Transportation for road repair and emergency measures.
- $42.7 million to Cleveland County for debris removal.
- $5 million to the city of Asheville for debris removal.
This round of funding adds to the over $5 billion already allocated by FEMA for post-Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in North Carolina. This funding is part of a larger allocation under the American Relief Act.
The storm inflicted approximately $60 billion in damages across western North Carolina, as reported by the governor’s office. Governor Josh Stein has been actively seeking an additional $13.5 billion from Congress for further storm recovery efforts.
