Rutherford County to Receive Nearly $9.4M from FEMA as $47M Spend Sees Slow Reimbursement

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding totaling nearly $9.4 million has been approved for Rutherford County, reimbursing the county for extensive debris removal and emergency response work following Hurricane Helene.

Records indicate the former county manager steered debris removal work toward a direct contractor arrangement that ultimately left the county responsible for roughly $47 million in upfront costs; now, federal reimbursements through FEMA are arriving gradually, offsetting portions of those expenses over time.

The $9.39 million allocation will help offset costs tied to clearing waterways, reopening roads, and restoring access to public areas after widespread storm damage. The funding is part of FEMA’s Public Assistance program, which reimburses local governments for disaster-related expenses after they have already been incurred.

County commissioners are expected to review the funding during their April 6 meeting, where Deputy County Manager and Finance Director Paula Roach may provide updates on reimbursement timing and the county’s broader financial outlook.

Under FEMA’s reimbursement structure, federal funds are first distributed through the state before reaching local governments—a process that can affect how quickly counties receive payment.

U.S. Rep. Tim Moore said the funding reflects the scope and speed of the county’s response.

“Rutherford County worked quickly to remove debris in the wake of Hurricane Helene to keep folks safe and increase vehicle access to the areas that were hit hardest,” Moore said in a statement. “It’s great news that they’ll be reimbursed more than $9 million for the work they’ve already done to help their community recover.”

According to information also shared by Sen. Ted Budd, the reimbursement is divided across three major projects funded under Section 407 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act:

• $1.6 million for debris removal in waterways, including more than 19,000 cubic yards of vegetative debris cleared from rivers, streams, and drainage systems. This portion is funded at a 100% federal cost share.

• $3.7 million for debris removal along roads, public property, and rights-of-way, clearing more than 75,000 cubic yards of debris. This project carries a 90% federal cost share, with total costs exceeding $4.1 million.

• $4.03 million for continued debris removal in waterways during later recovery phases, including more than 20,000 cubic yards of hazardous trees and vegetation. This project is also funded at a 90% federal cost share.

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Altogether, crews removed more than 100,000 cubic yards of debris across the county—work officials say was critical to restoring drainage systems, reducing flood risks, and reconnecting isolated areas, particularly in rural and mountainous communities.

The funding announcement follows a March 25 letter from North Carolina’s Republican congressional delegation to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, urging the release of delayed FEMA funds tied to Helene recovery efforts.

Rutherford County’s allocation is part of a broader federal response across western North Carolina. In March, neighboring Burke County received $3.59 million for similar recovery and mitigation work.

Because counties often front the cost of emergency response and cleanup, FEMA reimbursements are considered essential to stabilizing local budgets after major disasters.

Rutherford County decided to use a state contractor early on, which required direct payment, rather than using a direct scope with FEMA through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after Helene. Sources say it was for project control. If they had used USACE, then no direct payment would have been required, according to public records, but county officials would not have had as close control over the day-to-day operations.

The county paid $47M directly to contractors, according to a previous statement from Bryan King, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners. King is now working in a dual role as interim county manager after Steve Garrison resigned in January to work for the Governor's Recovery Office for Western NC (GROW NC).

While the FEMA reimbursement funding has been approved, officials say the timeline for disbursement will depend on the state’s administrative process. Garrison may play a role in that, since he now works for Governor Josh Stein as a regional recovery coordinator responsible for multiple counties, including Rutherford.

It was Garrison's recommendation to the commissioners to use a state contractor rather than directly working with USACE, according to emails and public records obtained by WCAB News.

Commissioners are expected to discuss the recent developments during Monday’s meeting, including how the reimbursement will factor into the county’s overall budget as recovery efforts continue.