North Carolina Governor Josh Stein traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with members of the state’s congressional delegation to request increased federal funding for hurricane recovery efforts in western North Carolina. While acknowledging existing assistance, Stein emphasized the gap between the extent of storm damage and the aid received to date. During the visit, he met with acting FEMA Administrator Karen Evans to discuss ongoing recovery coordination and held discussions with Western North Carolina Advisory Committee Co-Chairs Mayor Esther Manheimer and Senator Kevin Corbin, who joined in advocating for additional federal support.
According to the Governor's office, the federal government has provided just over $7 billion for western North Carolina’s recovery following Hurricane Helene, accounting for about 12 percent of the total estimated storm damage. Stein acknowledged the importance of the funding received while noting that more than a year has passed since the region last received federal relief. He emphasized the need for additional congressional action to address remaining recovery needs.
Stein’s request totals $13.5 billion in federal funding and outlines several targeted priorities. The proposal includes $1.77 billion for the North Carolina Department of Transportation to address road repairs, $8.37 billion for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to support homeowner rebuilding efforts, $1.99 billion from FEMA to assist local governments through forgivable recovery loans, and $540 million from the Environmental Protection Agency for water infrastructure restoration.
Stein highlighted what he described as an imbalance in federal disaster assistance, noting that hurricanes such as Katrina, Maria, and Sandy received federal funding covering more than 70 percent of total damage costs. By comparison, North Carolina has received about $7 billion, or roughly 12 percent of its estimated recovery needs, an amount he said his $13.5 billion request would raise to approximately 47 percent. In addition to seeking increased funding, Stein called on FEMA to ускорить decisions on North Carolina’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program applications. While an initial round of homeowner buyouts has been approved, many applications remain pending, a delay Stein said has left some homeowners continuing to pay mortgages on properties that have been destroyed.
Stein’s advocacy efforts in Washington are focused on securing additional support for residents of western North Carolina as recovery from recent severe weather continues. Through meetings with federal officials, the governor is seeking increased funding and continued coordination with federal agencies to address long-term recovery needs. State officials have said these discussions are also intended to strengthen intergovernmental cooperation as communities face more frequent and intense weather events.
