NC Hurricane Helene Relief Secures $500M Approval

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina’s state House has given unanimous approval to legislation that would direct an additional $500 million towards ongoing Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in the western part of the state. This funding would build upon the amounts previously sanctioned by the Republican-controlled General Assembly in late 2024 to support recovery activities following the unprecedented flooding that struck the mountainous regions in September.

Governor Josh Stein, a Democrat who began his tenure in January, has made a recent appeal for more than double the proposed funds, seeking $1.07 billion. He argues that the provision of these funds should not wait until the expected conclusion of standard state budget discussions early this summer, as businesses, residents displaced from their homes, and students in schools require immediate assistance.

Republican lawmakers echo the need for swift action but emphasize the careful management of federal matching funds and caution against errors made during the response to previous storms. They concur with Governor Stein that additional funding for Helene recovery will likely be sanctioned in the coming months.

During the debate, Rep. Dudley Greene of Avery County emphasized the necessity of timely financial support. Greene, whose property was damaged by Helene, urged for immediate action, stating, “Western North Carolina will appreciate your vote for this important next step.”

Historically, the legislature has approved anywhere from $900 million to $1.1 billion for recovery efforts related to Helene, depending on different assessments. The newly proposed $225 million, already allocated for Helene aid, would supplement Tuesday’s measure as it progresses to the Senate, where Republican lawmakers have introduced distinct spending plans. This legislation acts as an early barometer of the relationship dynamics between the legislature and Governor Stein, especially as Republicans missed securing a veto-proof majority by a single vote in the recent November elections.

Hurricane Helene resulted in over 100 fatalities and caused destruction to approximately 74,000 homes, along with extensive damage to roads, bridges, and culverts. State officials estimate that the storm’s total damages and recovery needs add up to a historic $59.6 billion.

The bill primarily prioritizes the repair of damaged homes and infrastructure, such as private bridges and roads, while also aiming to support farmers affected by crop losses and aiding rebuilding efforts next to small businesses. Notably absent from the bill were provisions included in Stein’s proposal aimed at reimbursing local governments for lost revenues and establishing a program for state agencies to offer direct financial support to small businesses affected by the hurricane.

However, Republican House members sought to mitigate these gaps through an amendment passed on Tuesday, which directs $15 million to nonprofit organizations responsible for offering small business revitalization grants. This amendment also allows certain local governments participating in a state loan recovery program to retain part of the proceeds.

Democratic representatives from the flood-hit region responded positively to these modifications but voiced concerns about the sufficiency and timeliness of federal and state funds. Residents continue to endure makeshift housing solutions while local businesses, particularly those reliant on tourism, contemplate their futures amidst ongoing recovery.

Rep. Lindsey Prather of Buncombe County reflecting on the situation remarked, “But we are five months out from this storm. We’ve got to move quicker and we’ve got to spend more.”

Governor Stein’s administration projects upwards of $15 billion in federal funding could ultimately flow into North Carolina for Helene recovery, with a further request for an additional $13.1 billion recently submitted to Washington.

Additionally, a separate measure scheduled for committee review this week proposes utilizing $475 million from existing state reserves to establish a state-wide crop loss program for the potential disasters in 2024. Meanwhile, the House also passed preliminary approval of another bill aimed at increasing the maximum unemployment benefits. This temporary measure would replace an executive order from former Governor Roy Cooper that temporarily raised payments, aligning new state legislation with federal guidelines and is expected to be discussed in the Senate later this week.