North Carolina state legislators convened on Thursday to address the ongoing recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The catastrophic flooding caused by the storm has prompted Governor Roy Cooper to request additional funding from the General Assembly to support the state's recovery.
Lawmakers had previously approved an initial relief bill of $273 million, aimed at meeting federal requirements for disaster assistance programs. This funding was just the beginning of what is expected to be a series of actions taken to address the widespread damage caused by Helene.
The storm, which hit the Southeast and western North Carolina mountains, resulted in 96 reported deaths and historic levels of rain and flooding. Governor Cooper's Office of State Budget and Management estimated that the storm caused a record $53 billion in damages and recovery needs in western North Carolina.
Cooper's request to legislators includes allocating $3.9 billion for various recovery programs. This funding would support businesses, homeowners, farmers, and educational institutions in the hardest-hit areas. The state's savings reserve, which holds almost $4.5 billion, can be tapped into for future recovery spending.
The storm's impact has been particularly severe on agriculture and residential sectors, as many growers and homeowners were not covered by insurance. The storm triggered 1,400 landslides, damaged over 160 water and sewer systems, and impacted thousands of miles of roads, bridges, and homes.
As North Carolina continues to grapple with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, state legislators are working to secure the necessary funding to support recovery efforts and help communities rebuild and revitalize in the wake of this devastating natural disaster.
