North Carolina's Governor Roy Cooper joined forces with municipal and county leaders in Burke County to address the reconstruction efforts following Hurricane Helene's devastation. The meeting, facilitated by the local authorities and associations, was a platform for discussing the immediate and long-term needs for rebuilding their communities.

"Today, I heard from municipal and county leaders from across Western North Carolina about their medium and long-term needs to rebuild and strengthen their communities after Hurricane Helene," Governor Cooper stated. The governor underscored his commitment to a cooperative, bipartisan strategy in ensuring the recovery process continues, especially as state, and federal administrations transition.

Hurricane Helene's impact left Western North Carolina grappling with substantial damages. In response, Governor Cooper has proposed a substantial $3.9 billion budget dedicated to rebuilding infrastructure, housing, businesses, and educational facilities upended by the natural disaster. The initial damages have been estimated at a staggering $53 billion, a figure that triples the damage estimates from 2018's Hurricane Florence, marking it as the costliest in the state's history.

While the state legislature did not approve the full budget recommended by Governor Cooper, they are set to reconvene later in November and may provide additional funding towards the relief efforts. Cooper's engagement with the affected counties, which totals at 15 since the hurricane's landfall, indicates an ongoing partnership with local, state and federal agencies.