Governor Stein Calls for Increased Support in Wake of Hurricane Helene
In a recent meeting in Asheville, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein underscored the need for additional resources to aid recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. Speaking to officials from various counties, Stein highlighted the urgency of addressing the aftermath of the hurricane, ongoing wildfire threats, and securing future funding for the region.
The Governor’s address was part of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners meeting. While the state legislature has approved a $524 million relief package for Hurricane Helene, Stein emphasized that more is required. “Nowhere near enough, but it is enough to get started,” he stated, noting the enormity of the damage: 126,000 homes were damaged, and the financial toll reached $60 billion.
Stein plans to propose a subsequent budget to the General Assembly, focusing on essential areas such as housing, business support, local government revenue replacement, and wildfire prevention. He indicated that state resources alone are insufficient for comprehensive recovery.
Highlighting a need for federal support, Stein remarked, “I went to Washington and asked for about $19 billion in federal assistance. Some of that money they’ve already appropriated and we just want to make sure our state gets an allocation, our fair share. That’s about $7.5 billion and there’s $11.5 billion in new funding.” The proposed funds would primarily address housing, business, and infrastructure recovery needs.
Progress in recovery efforts over the last six months was also highlighted. “More than 4,800 families are currently receiving temporary housing support,” Stein reported. Additionally, over 1,300 roads have been repaired, and more than 7.4 million cubic yards of debris have been cleared.
However, challenges remain. Residual debris from the hurricane, coupled with dry conditions, has led to severe wildfires in the region, prompting evacuations in several counties including Polk, Henderson, Swain, Buncombe, and Transylvania. Stein described it as, “The most threatening wildfire in the entire country.”
For Stein, preventative measures are critical. “That means investing more in debris removal and land and waterway rehabilitation so we can reduce the risk of wildfires,” he said. He also stressed the importance of flood resilience, advocating for the protection of floodplains and wetlands as a buffer against future disasters.
Need help with housing after Hurricane Helene? Check out our guide.
For further details on the ongoing recovery and wildfire challenges, read more here.
