New Homeland Security Secretary Mullin Visits Chimney Rock and Lake Lure

U.S. Sen. Ted Budd welcomed Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to western North Carolina on April 7 for a roundtable focused on disaster recovery and proposed reforms to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Mullin's helicopter landed in Morse Park, in Lake Lure. The visit, centered in Chimney Rock Village and nearby communities, brought together federal, state, and local leaders, along with emergency responders and recovery coordinators still working through the aftermath of a major storm that struck the region about 18 months ago.

Budd praised Mullin’s early engagement with North Carolina, noting that the secretary began coordinating the visit before his Senate confirmation.

“This is a person of action,” Budd said, citing Mullin’s business background and public service. “He was already working for North Carolina before he was even sworn in.”

Local officials used the roundtable to highlight both progress and ongoing challenges. Bat Cave Fire and Rescue Chief Steve Freeman described the storm’s impact as severe but credited volunteers and faith with helping prevent greater loss of life.

“We were blessed it wasn’t worse,” Freeman said. “But we still have a long way to go.”

Chimney Rock Village Mayor Peter O’Leary said recovery efforts remain ongoing and will require continued federal support.

Officials described the storm as an extreme event that exposed gaps in federal disaster policy, which is often designed for more typical flooding scenarios.

Henderson County Manager John Mitchell said local agencies responded quickly but continue to face administrative hurdles. “We can endure almost anything if we know what the answer is,” Mitchell said. “But uncertainty and delay make recovery harder.”

A key concern raised during the discussion was the complexity of federal disaster programs tied to FEMA. Local leaders cited delays in funding approvals, regulatory requirements, and administrative burdens that slow rebuilding efforts.

Mullin acknowledged those concerns and pledged to prioritize reducing backlogs and improving coordination. “One of our highest priorities is to clean up this backlog,” Mullin said. “If there’s a way to get it done, we will do it.”

Budd said about $134 million in federal assistance has been released under Mullin’s leadership.

Local officials also pushed for greater flexibility in hazard mitigation grants, arguing that current rules do not account for rare, high-impact storms and can complicate rebuilding in mountainous areas.

State Sen. Tim Moffitt said differing policies between federal and state programs create unnecessary obstacles. “All storms are not created equal, and all public policy doesn’t fit in the same box,” Moffitt said.

Mullin said the administration is open to reviewing policies that may be overly rigid. “If it’s not legislation and it’s rulemaking, we can look at that,” he said. “Bureaucracy puts layers on things and doesn’t allow flexibility.”

Another issue raised was the financial strain on small municipalities, which often must cover upfront costs for debris removal and infrastructure repairs before receiving federal reimbursement.

Local officials said delays in reimbursement can slow critical work in communities with limited budgets.

Mullin said discussions are underway within FEMA to address that concern, particularly for smaller jurisdictions. Participants also pointed to staffing turnover within FEMA as a challenge, saying frequent changes in personnel can disrupt ongoing projects.

Federal officials said efforts are underway to improve continuity by assigning long-term staff to oversee projects. Lawmakers referenced broader reform proposals, including the FEMA Reform Act of 2025, which aims to streamline disaster response and reduce regulatory burdens.

Mullin said the federal approach is intended to support state and local leadership.

“FEMA should not be the first responder,” he said. “The state and local communities are better equipped. We’re there to support and help fund recovery.”

Officials also raised concerns about communication outages during the storm that left residents without access to emergency information.

“That left people in the dark,” Mitchell said, calling for stronger and more resilient communication systems.

Despite the challenges, leaders emphasized the resilience of western North Carolina communities and cooperation among levels of government.

Mullin said the region’s recovery offers lessons for future disaster response efforts.

“There’s a lot of lessons that can be learned,” he said. “Even in a disaster like this, it allows us to be more prepared moving forward.”

As hurricane season approaches, officials stressed the need to accelerate recovery efforts and resolve remaining issues before another major storm impacts the region.

For residents still waiting on assistance, leaders acknowledged frustration while urging continued patience as reforms and funding move forward.

Mullin said federal officials remain committed to supporting recovery efforts. 

“We’re not going to solve every problem,” he said. “But we’re going to do everything we can to ease the burden and help communities rebuild.”

The meeting was only open to select press members, organized by the DHS Office of Public Affairs.