SWANNANOA, N.C. — Emily Russell recalls feeling optimistic after securing an appointment with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) following the destructive impact of Hurricane Helene on her home in Swannanoa, North Carolina.
Yet, after facing multiple denials and pending requests for assistance, Russell expressed that the agency has been of “no help” to her family in the aftermath of the late September storm. Grappling with the upheaval brought by one of the worst storms in state history, Russell is now receptive to former President Donald Trump’s proposal to potentially eliminate FEMA altogether.
This sentiment is prevalent among residents in the mountainous regions of western North Carolina, where enduring months in a trailer with scarce resources has tested the limits of many families’ patience. Russell, who, like many others, lacked flood insurance, faced these difficulties as she prepared for the arrival of her son, but volunteers stepped in to rebuild her home. Now back at her property, she can hold her newborn on the newly built front porch, while a pile of rotting debris looms nearby, accompanied by two Trump-Vance signs posted in her yard.
Frustration stemming from stopgap relief measures has intensified due to uncertainty regarding the sources of long-term assistance. FEMA is designed to be the initial resource, offering temporary housing and repair funds while insurance covers most of the costs. However, this hasn’t been the message many residents received early on, especially after politicians like then-President Joe Biden assured them they would receive all necessary support.
As time passes, the complexities surrounding long-term recovery have increased. To Russell and many others, Trump’s suggestion to dissolve FEMA resonates. Conversely, experts and officials warn that such a move could lead to greater complications.
Shortly after taking office, Trump assessed the aftermath of wildfires in California and the hurricane in North Carolina, suggesting that states should take the lead in managing disaster responses. As a candidate, he had criticized FEMA regarding its handling of the storms in the southern states affected by Hurricane Helene, a critique that has persisted since the winds subsided.
The agency has also faced criticism from Trump advisor Elon Musk regarding FEMA payments that reimbursed New York City for migrant hotel costs. This controversy has led to the dismissal of four FEMA employees who were accused of bypassing management to execute these financial transactions, a procedure that has been standard for years under a program designed to assist with surges in migration-related expenses.
North Carolina’s government estimates that Hurricane Helene left a staggering $59.6 billion in damages in its wake. As of February 11, FEMA has allocated nearly $380 million for public assistance grants to state and local governments, along with around $372 million provided directly to the residents of North Carolina. FEMA’s obligations include direct financial aid to individuals and reimbursements for governmental recovery efforts, such as debris removal and infrastructure repairs.
Russell felt bewildered when her application to FEMA was denied, particularly after an inspector had declared her home a complete loss. The rushing floodwaters had torn off part of her house, and heavy mud flooded the interior, warping the floors and damaging most belongings beyond recovery. She believed the home, where she spent her childhood, would face demolition.
After her denial, Russell reached out to FEMA and spoke with representatives face-to-face, only to be told she required receipts for specific personal items, which she did not have.
“Being repeatedly informed that it’s pending or not approved is just a devastating experience,” Russell shared, expressing feelings of disorientation.
In Buncombe County, where Russell resides, approximately 70% of homeowners who registered with FEMA received some form of aid, according to agency data. Of those approved, around 91% were granted assistance of up to $10,000, while 3.6% received amounts ranging from $25,000 to just over $40,000.
Danny Bailey, a retired 61-year-old from Buncombe County, reported receiving $42,500 after suffering substantial losses due to flooding, including his trailer, his sister’s mobile home, and a barn. His family has lived on the property since 1968.
After using part of his assistance for essentials, like winter propane, Bailey is now residing in a donated trailer on what remains of his property—a muddy and rutted landscape—and believes FEMA “should have done more.”
“If this is how they operate, he should consider abolishing them,” Bailey remarked regarding Trump’s suggestions, recalling how the former president’s triumph in North Carolina helped boost his election campaign.
Bailey encountered challenges in obtaining his funds, as shortly after Hurricane Helene struck, a FEMA inspector advised him to apply for disaster assistance online, even though he lacked access to a computer and reliable cell service. He traveled nearly 100 miles to use his nephew’s computer, but faced difficulties obtaining updates on his application. Ultimately, he did receive his assistance.
“Their attitude seemed to be, this happened to you, but it’s your responsibility to fix it. I didn’t cause this,” he said, chuckling.
Complaints regarding FEMA’s application process are widespread, attributed to the bureaucratic hurdles designed to verify applicants’ eligibility, according to Miyuki Hino, a city and regional planning scholar at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Many individuals may expect more comprehensive assistance from the agency, although its primary role is to address immediate needs such as housing.
The federal government’s involvement in disaster response has always been contentious, but Hino suggested that the growing politicization of FEMA could be linked to the increasing occurrence of costly disasters driven by climate change. Disbanding FEMA could create difficulties, particularly in cases where crises extend beyond state borders or when localities are unaccustomed to specific disaster challenges.
Overall, the dissolution of FEMA would likely hinder recovery efforts following future disasters, she concluded.
Concern about the potential dissolution of FEMA is prevalent among local leaders, such as Dalton George, Boone’s mayor pro tempore. Despite understandable frustrations, George noted that FEMA has acted swiftly to provide assistance, contributing funds for home restorations and offering temporary shelter to numerous families.
“It appears that the sentiment is more anti-FEMA rather than a focus on resolving these issues,” George remarked.
Local governments would bear a portion of the responsibility if FEMA were eliminated, but George insisted that towns like Boone lack the necessary resources for such a shift. He emphasized that private organizations would need to do more, even as they already struggle with existing demands.
Vickie Revis, heavily reliant on private organizations like local churches to provide for her needs, lost her home, which had adorned the Swannanoa River for eight years. The river, once a symbol of tranquility for her, is now associated with trauma.
However, her recovery process will mainly depend on FEMA, from which she has already received over $40,000. Revis reported no problems with how the agency managed her case.
Instead, Revis shared her lingering grief over the loss of pets, cherished possessions, and the halted plans for expanding her home to accommodate her family. For some time, she refrained from leaving her trailer, unable to confront the destruction surrounding her.
Currently, it’s the prospect of rebuilding that motivates Revis. When asked about the timeline for this process, she replied, “However long it takes.”
