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$155 million in federal funds approved for Helene recovery in North Carolina

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After Hurricane Helene. Courtesy of Jaybird Aerial Photography

The federal government will direct an additional $155 million in reimbursement funds for North Carolina’s Helene recovery efforts, according to a Friday press release from the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

“President Trump and Secretary Noem are committed to streamlining aid and supporting North Carolina’s recovery from Tropical Storm Helene and other disasters,” said a senior spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security. “These millions of dollars in federal assistance will help communities repair critical infrastructure, restore essential services and continue rebuilding stronger for the future.”

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According to the press release, North Carolina has received more than $957 million to date for “road repair, debris removal, critical infrastructure repair and emergency protective measures for the 2024 Hurricane Season.”

Since Jan. 20, the press release said, the state has received more than $632 million in Public Assistance reimbursements for recovery efforts.  

The press release listed some of the FEMA grants provided to the state for its recovery efforts, the largest being $54 million to the state’s Transportation Department to restore infrastructure in 11 counties. 

Other grants include $23 million to the French Broad Electric Corporation to restore power to 43,000 in western North Carolina, as well as $17.4 million to the Rutherford Electric Membership Corporation to repair electrical infrastructure for 67,000 customers.

Henderson County will receive $14.8 million for debris removal, while Buncombe County will receive $9.6 million for emergency protective measures, debris removal, and repairs to roads and culverts damaged by Helene.

Additionally, the town of Boone will receive $1.6 million for road repairs as well as the installation of soil nail walls, the release said. The North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources will receive $1.4 million to make repairs on Paddy’s Creek Beach and Catawba Beach. In Buncombe County, the district’s Board of Education will get $1.3 million for repairs to North Buncombe Middle School and the Sand Hill-Venable Elementary School, “to keep students and faculty safe during another flooding event.”