On a recent visit to Yancey County, Governor Josh Stein stood shoulder to shoulder with local officials and residents grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, as reported by the Governor’s office. Alongside Sheriff Shane Hilliard, Stein toured the flood-damaged terrain of Burnsville, sharing words of support and underscoring the collective nature of recovery efforts. "Yancey County residents are supporting each other in inspiring ways," the Governor noted, emphasizing the joint responsibility of local and federal authorities in helping to rebuild the community's schools, businesses, and essential infrastructure.
While in Burnsville, Stein's itinerary included witnessing the impacts of the South Toe River's heightened surge, in the process he stopped by the South Toe Fire Department, extending his gratitude to the firefighters for their valiant response during the disaster, acknowledgment was not just verbal but also held a palpable sense of respect for their selflessness. The Governor’s visit reflected not only solidarity but an ongoing commitment – his administration has been proactive, since its inception, in advocating for and disbursing aid to the region promptly and with a lens on accountability.
In a fiscal gesture toward healing and hazard mitigation, Governor Stein last month put forward a request for an additional $19 billion in federal funding; the ask is designed to mend infrastructure, ease home repair burdens, and bolster resilience against similar future events. Governor Stein also parlays regularly with state legislators to ensure the allocation of $1.07 billion in state funds he previously requested to support immediate local recovery needs.
Enhancing transparency and offering a barometer for progress, the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina recently launched a recovery dashboard – an online platform where updates, resources, and recovery effort information can be found.
