North Carolina to Receive $61 Million for Hurricane Helene Recovery and Resiliency

RALEIGH — The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will receive more than $61 million in federal funding to support recovery efforts and strengthen resiliency following Hurricane Helene, state officials announced on September 15.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded $61,006,486 to DEQ through the Hurricane Helene Supplemental Appropriation for Hazardous Waste and Solid Waste Management Financial Assistance Grants. The funding will support immediate cleanup operations while also helping communities prepare for future storms.

“Recovering from Hurricane Helene is a long-term process,” Governor Josh Stein said in a statement. “It’s critical we not only clean up the pollution, but also build our infrastructure back stronger. This funding will help communities weather future disasters.”

The money will be used across DEQ and the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to address hazardous waste management, debris removal, recycling, and contaminated site redevelopment.

“This funding will help local governments identify contaminated sites, clean up solid and hazardous waste debris, and address long-term contamination caused by Hurricane Helene,” DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson said. “We appreciate the continued commitment from the Environmental Protection Agency and other federal partners to help communities recover from Helene’s widespread impacts.”

The funding breakdown includes:

• $26.4 million for recycling infrastructure to replace or upgrade storm-damaged facilities.

• $20.4 million for disaster debris recovery and non-hazardous waste collection.

• $5 million for cleanup and redevelopment of brownfield sites.

• $2.4 million for removal of hazardous storm-related materials.

• $1.1 million for groundwater sampling and hazardous waste field response.

• $1.4 million for training workshops and grant support.

• $4.3 million subaward to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for pesticide collection, disposal, and safety training.

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Michael Scott, director of DEQ’s Division of Waste Management, said the funding will provide critical support for rebuilding. “These grant funds will be instrumental in further assisting the Helene-impacted communities while helping to rebuild local recovery infrastructure in a resilient manner,” he said.

The $61 million package comes in addition to the $686 million recently awarded to DEQ by EPA for water and wastewater system improvements.

State officials say the combined funding will speed recovery while ensuring that communities are better prepared for future disasters.