Federal Delays Threaten Hurricane Helene Rebuild, Stein Warns

More than a year after Hurricane Helene caused widespread damage in western North Carolina, Governor Josh Stein is urging faster federal action to help communities continue rebuilding.

At the October meeting of the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Western North Carolina Recovery (GROW NC), Stein emphasized the importance of local input in shaping recovery strategies. The committee, which gathers both formal and informal feedback from residents, advises the governor and GROW NC on priorities including housing, small businesses, infrastructure, relief funding, cross-sector coordination, and transparency in the rebuilding process.

State grants have helped organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Baptists on Mission repair more than 500 homes in the region. “They can act faster than federal agencies, getting help to people who need it immediately,” Stein said.

Still, Stein noted that significant challenges remain. Last month, he requested an additional $13.5 billion in federal aid for recovery efforts. With the federal government partially shut down, he has called on North Carolina’s congressional delegation to find a bipartisan solution.

“Progress has been steady, but we can’t maintain this pace without federal support,” Stein said. Over 300 homeowners have applied for FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which helps residents move out of flood-prone areas, but no approvals have yet been issued. Stein also requested that North Carolina’s disaster recovery work be exempt from the shutdown, but no response has been received.

State officials report that more than $524 million in FEMA individual assistance has been approved, and over 6,800 households have received temporary housing aid. North Carolina has also become the fastest state in over a decade to start rebuilding hurricane-damaged homes using HUD’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program.

Other support efforts include food and utility assistance for tens of thousands of families, grants and scholarships for over 48,000 students, and aid to 318 public schools to replace lost supplies and equipment. All 13 impacted state parks and five historic sites have reopened at least partially, helping restore tourism and support local economies.

“It was a goal to have key state assets operational by the one-year mark, and we’re glad to have reached that milestone,” said Matt Calabria, director of GROW NC.

The committee’s next meeting will be held in Spruce Pine at Mayland Community College on November 14, with an option to attend virtually.