RALEIGH, N.C. — Devastating flooding and widespread destruction from Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina are estimated to result in a staggering $53 billion in damages and recovery expenses, according to an announcement made by Governor Roy Cooper’s administration.

The state’s budget office calculated this preliminary figure, which encompasses both direct and indirect damages, as well as prospective investments aimed at forestalling similar catastrophes in future storms.

Cooper highlighted that this new estimate far surpasses North Carolina’s previous record of $17 billion in storm-related damage caused by Hurricane Florence in 2018, emphasizing the unprecedented impact of Helene.

“It is no exaggeration to describe Helene as the deadliest and most damaging storm ever to hit North Carolina,” Cooper stated while revealing his proposal to the General Assembly for $3.9 billion aimed at repairs and community recovery, referring to it as a “down payment for western North Carolina’s future.”

As reports indicate, Helene has led to 96 confirmed fatalities, following historic rainfall and flooding in the state’s mountainous regions at the end of September.

The hurricane’s impact resulted in approximately 1,400 landslides and inflicted damage on over 160 water and sewer systems, alongside impairing 6,000 miles of roads, more than 1,000 bridges and culverts, and affecting around 126,000 homes, according to the budget office. Predictions suggest that around 220,000 households may seek federal aid.

“This staggering damage figure is a clear reminder that we are still at the beginning of this recovery process,” remarked Cooper, reflecting on the immediate challenges ahead.

The governor’s funding request was made public shortly before the Republican-majority legislature was scheduled to convene for a one-day session to expedite further recovery legislation related to Hurricane Helene.

Two weeks prior, lawmakers approved a $273 million aid package, which included measures aimed at providing support to state agencies, individuals displaced by the storm, and those managing elections in 25 affected counties. Out of the 100 counties in North Carolina, 39 are part of the federally declared disaster zone.

The state’s budget also includes several billion dollars earmarked for recovery efforts, with approximately $4.5 billion in the state’s reserve fund available for use. As of late Wednesday afternoon, specific legislative actions planned for Thursday had not yet been shared with the public. Lawmakers reportedly needed more time to analyze Cooper’s proposal submitted on Tuesday, according to Senate leader Phil Berger’s spokesperson, Lauren Horsch.

The damage assessment foresees $48.8 billion attributed to direct or indirect damages, along with $4.8 billion designated for expected mitigation efforts. The budget office also estimates that federal assistance will cover approximately $13.6 billion, with private sources expected to contribute around $6.3 billion.

However, Walker noted that a significant portion of the losses may never be recovered. The financial contributions from private sources are anticipated to be limited due to the low number of homeowners and farmers in disaster-stricken areas who possessed flood or crop insurance. The report indicated that close to 93% of homes affected by flooding, as verified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, were without flood insurance.

Among Cooper’s funding requests are provisions for $475 million allocated for a recovery initiative aimed at assisting businesses in the most severely impacted regions. This initiative includes grants ranging from $1,500 to $50,000 during the first phase, escalating to a maximum of $75,000 in the second phase.

Other notable requests are $289 million in matching funds to access federal dollars for utility repairs and debris clearance, $225 million in grants for farmers facing uninsured losses, and $100 million directed toward capital needs for public schools and community colleges.

Additionally, Cooper seeks $325 million for immediate support to homeowners and renters for rebuilding and minor repairs, while a more extensive program reliant on federal funding is prepared for implementation. A report indicated that nearly two years passed before the federal government disbursed community development block grant funding for home repairs following hurricanes Florence and Matthew in 2016.

Cooper’s request on Wednesday also includes $175 million to address outstanding repair needs from hurricanes Matthew and Florence, attributing the funding gap to escalated construction costs, labor shortages, the COVID-19 pandemic, and a congressional allocation that fell short of expectations.

Notably, the timing of the $175 million request faced scrutiny from Berger and another prominent Senate Republican, who issued a statement condemning what they deemed poor management from the state Office of Recovery and Resiliency, asserting that an oversight committee would investigate the issue in the following month.