FEMA Funding Delays Hamper North Carolina’s Hurricane helene Recovery, Leaders Say
RALEIGH, N.C. – North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Helene is being considerably slowed by delays in federal funding, with state leaders now describing FEMA as “our biggest obstacle.” despite widespread damage and urgent needs,accessing promised federal dollars remains a major challenge,lawmakers heard this week.
Attorney General Josh Stein has been actively pressing FEMA officials for quicker release of allocated funds, citing a cumbersome and inefficient federal funding process. He recently returned from Washington D.C. where he requested an additional $13.5 billion from Congress, alongside a separate $6 billion request from federal agencies, to address the extensive damage caused by the late September 2024 storm.
The state’s congressional budget request breaks down as follows:
* $8.37 billion in additional Community Development Block Grant disaster recovery funding for housing, infrastructure, and economic revitalization.
* $1.99 billion for Community Disaster Loans for local governments and reinstatement of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program for future disaster mitigation.
* $1.77 billion from the U.S. Department of Transportation for infrastructure restoration.
* $500 million in additional State and Tribal Assistance Grant funding for water and sewer projects.
* $400 million from the Small Business Management for small business grants and forgivable loans.
While progress is being made on some fronts, the lack of consistent federal funding is hindering broader recovery efforts. Stein highlighted recent infrastructure improvements in western North Carolina, including highway repairs, water management system upgrades, and partial or full reopening of affected state parks.
As of Tuesday, the state reported:
* 96% of water systems are back online.
* 97% of state-maintained roads have reopened,and all state parks impacted by the storm are partially or fully reopened.
* Approximately 98% of state roads in western North Carolina have at least partially reopened, with 95% fully reopened.
Though, significant work remains. More than 6,500 bridges still require repair.
Adding to the recovery momentum, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced a $1.15 billion federal grant for western North Carolina – the largest single allocation in the program’s history, bringing the total federal DOT funding to nearly $2 billion. State lawmakers also passed a mini-budget this week providing additional funds for disaster relief, economic development, and infrastructure projects.
Homeland Security Secretary Aleah Noem, who oversees FEMA, is scheduled to visit western North Carolina later this week. The visit comes as pressure mounts on the federal agency to expedite the delivery of critical funds needed to rebuild communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.
