Hurricane Helene: Western North Carolina Strong

On September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene swept into western North Carolina after making landfall the previous evening along Florida’s Big Bend coast as a Category 4 hurricane.[1] By the time the storm reached the southern Appalachians, it had weakened to a tropical storm, but it still carried heavy rain and wind gusts of 45 to 60 miles per hour into some of the state’s most vulnerable mountain communities. Within hours, landslides and flooding cut off remote towns, damaged critical roads and bridges, and exposed long-standing weaknesses in the region’s infrastructure.[2] For many residents, the unfolding disaster revived memories of the destruction North Carolina experienced during Hurricanes Matthew in 2016 and Florence in 2018.[3]

The storm quickly exposed the vulnerability of many western North Carolina communities. Steep terrain, narrow roadways, and aging infrastructure complicated emergency response efforts as landslides and flooding cut off access to remote mountain areas. State transportation officials reported widespread road damage throughout the region.[4]

Hundreds of emergency responders from the Triangle area—including law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel—were deployed to assist recovery efforts in western North Carolina. Nearly 400 personnel, including 56 police officers and 179 firefighters, were dispatched to deliver aid and support overwhelmed local emergency workers. With roads blocked and resources strained, donations and relief efforts were organized statewide.[5] Governor Roy Cooper said power restoration crews were working around the clock and projected that roughly 90 percent of affected customers would have electricity restored within a week.

Among the hardest-hit areas was Swannanoa, a small community east of Asheville. In the immediate aftermath of the storm, local volunteers including Adam Smith organized what became known as the Savage Operations Center. The volunteer-led operation quickly mobilized more than 100 people and coordinated privately owned helicopters piloted by volunteers to reach isolated communities cut off by damaged roads and bridges. Within days, volunteers had delivered an estimated 500,000 pounds of food, water, and medical supplies to residents who could not be reached by ground transportation.[6]

Despite the rapid volunteer response, the scale of destruction across western North Carolina made clear that recovery would be long and complex. Homes and businesses were destroyed across multiple communities, leaving many families displaced. Local officials warned that rebuilding could take years.

In Chimney Rock, a small tourist town in Rutherford County, local leaders reported that every business in the town’s central district had been either destroyed or severely damaged by flooding and storm debris. Mayor Peter O’Leary described the economic impact as catastrophic.[7]

“What I tell people is the old Chimney Rock is gone,” O’Leary said. “One hundred percent of the businesses in the central district were destroyed or damaged very badly. Our unemployment rate is 100 percent. It’s been devastating for the village.”

Business groups warned that the broader regional economy could suffer lasting damage. The Asheville Independent Restaurants Association urged state leaders to expedite relief measures for small businesses and restaurants devastated by the storm. The group cited estimates that Hurricane Helene caused roughly $53 billion in total damages statewide and warned that nearly 43 percent of small businesses fail to reopen after major disasters, placing roughly 14,500 regional food and beverage industry jobs at risk.[8]

Transportation infrastructure across the mountains also sustained extensive damage. The North Carolina Department of Transportation estimated that roughly $5 billion would be required to repair or replace damaged roads and bridges, including 90 bridges in Buncombe County and more than 800 statewide.[9] Major repair projects included the Swannanoa River Road bridge and the U.S. 70 bridge near Interstate 40.

The storm also displaced thousands of residents across western North Carolina. The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that more than 4,900 families would continue receiving temporary shelter assistance through January 2025 following a request by the state.[10] Initially authorized for 60 days, the program was extended to provide families more time to secure housing or make home repairs like those in Hendersonville with over two-thirds of residents being displaced from a senior mobile home park.[11] Many residents relocated to FEMA-funded hotels while attempting to secure permanent housing or repair damaged homes. The situation highlighted an existing housing shortage in the region, where roughly 44 percent of renters were already considered cost-burdened before the storm.

Helene’s impact extended beyond local communities. Damage to Baxter International’s manufacturing facility in North Carolina—responsible for producing roughly 60 percent of the nation’s intravenous fluid supply—contributed to nationwide shortages of medical fluids used in hospitals.[12]

The storm also disrupted a critical global supply chain centered in western North Carolina. Companies including Sibelco and The Quartz Corp halted operations in Spruce Pine after Hurricane Helene damaged facilities producing high-purity quartz used in semiconductor manufacturing.[13] The area supplies as much as 80 to 90 percent of the quartz crucibles used worldwide to produce silicon chips.

On October 10, 2024, the North Carolina General Assembly unanimously approved an initial $273 million relief package under House Bill 149, including $250 million to meet federal disaster assistance matching requirements. Governor Roy Cooper signed the legislation into law the same day.[14]

“Recovery for Western North Carolina will require unprecedented help from state and federal sources, and this legislation is a strong first step,” Cooper wrote when signing the bill. “Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic damage but also showed the resilience of North Carolina’s people and its communities, and we must continue the bipartisan work to help them build back stronger.”

Cooper also issued an executive order raising the maximum weekly unemployment benefit in North Carolina from $350 to $600 to assist workers impacted by Hurricane Helene. Residents in affected counties could qualify for up to 26 weeks of federal unemployment benefits through the Disaster Unemployment Assistance program. FEMA later reported providing more than $203 million in disaster assistance to North Carolina residents. The move came as roughly 79 percent of new unemployment claims were being filed in counties affected by the hurricane.[15]

Federal officials soon joined state leaders in assessing the damage. On October 17, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited western North Carolina alongside Governor Cooper and local officials to review storm impacts and discuss rebuilding efforts. Buttigieg announced that $100 million in emergency transportation relief had already been released to support infrastructure repairs. Senator Thom Tillis also joined the visit, emphasizing the need for more resilient infrastructure planning and estimating that total recovery costs could reach into the billions.[16]

Two weeks later, on October 24, North Carolina lawmakers approved an additional $604 million in recovery funding under Senate Bill 743. The package included $50 million for small business loans, $100 million for emergency infrastructure repairs, and funding for mental health services for schools affected by the storm. By November 2024, the state had approved a total of $877 million in disaster relief for Hurricane Helene.[17]

Vice President-elect J.D. Vance later toured western North Carolina, offering support and pledging future federal assistance for rebuilding efforts while emphasizing the incoming administration’s commitment to helping affected communities recover.[18]

As state and federal officials continued damage assessments, the scale of Hurricane Helene’s destruction became clearer. The storm and its aftermath triggered more than 1,400 landslides, damaged over 160 water and sewer systems, and destroyed or damaged at least 6,000 miles of roads, more than 1,000 bridges and culverts, and an estimated 126,000 homes, according to state budget officials. Some 220,000 households were expected to apply for federal disaster assistance.[19]

Helene was responsible for 108 deaths in North Carolina, nearly half of them in Buncombe County.[20]

Nationally, the storm ranked among the most destructive hurricanes in modern U.S. history. The National Hurricane Center reported that Hurricane Helene caused $78.7 billion in damage and 248 deaths, making it the seventh-costliest and fourth-deadliest mainland U.S. hurricane since 1950.[21]

In December 2024, Congress approved more than $100 billion in emergency disaster aid as part of a government spending bill signed by President Biden. The package included $29 billion for FEMA’s disaster relief fund, $21 billion in agricultural assistance, $8 billion for rebuilding roads and infrastructure, and $12 billion in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grants to support uninsured homeowners.[22]

At the start of 2025, the North Carolina General Assembly reconvened with Hurricane Helene recovery at the center of its agenda. House Speaker Destin Hall said lawmakers planned to introduce additional disaster relief legislation as the state entered the next phase of rebuilding.[23]

State lawmakers said they hoped to work with newly elected Governor Josh Stein despite lingering tensions over the state’s disaster response under former Governor Roy Cooper. Earlier, NC lawmakers had passed a 131-page bill labeled as hurricane disaster relief. Critics argued that much of the legislation shifted authority away from newly elected Democratic leaders, including the governor, attorney general, and state superintendent of public instruction.[24]

“This seems like power politics to the max,” said Chris Cooper, a political science professor at Western Carolina University.

Meanwhile, Stein urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency to extend the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program for an additional six months to provide temporary housing for more than 3,000 North Carolinians displaced by Hurricane Helene. The current extension was scheduled to expire on January 25, and Stein warned that freezing winter temperatures and ongoing home repairs left many residents without safe housing.[25]

Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd echoed concerns about displaced residents being forced to leave FEMA-funded hotels and urged federal officials to extend the housing assistance program.

During legislative committee meetings, state officials and lawmakers debated the pace of recovery efforts, particularly the availability of temporary housing for displaced residents in western North Carolina. A needs assessment by the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management estimated that Hurricane Helene caused approximately $59.6 billion in damage statewide and affected roughly 74,000 homes.[26]

Lawmakers questioned why some travel trailers intended for temporary housing remained unused while families still lacked shelter. Officials said some residents had declined FEMA trailers because of restrictions attached to the program, while lawmakers argued that many displaced residents were still waiting for housing approvals.[27]

At the same time, the state continued to seek additional federal aid. North Carolina had received roughly $15.7 billion of the $25.7 billion in disaster assistance requested from the federal government, with additional funding still pending. President Donald Trump also criticized FEMA’s response to the disaster and proposed changes to the agency’s disaster relief policies.

The number of households receiving assistance through FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance program declined sharply during the early months of 2025. The number fell from about 5,700 households in early January to just 762 by February 4.[28] However, officials and housing advocates questioned whether the decline reflected improving housing conditions or stricter eligibility determinations by FEMA. In Buncombe County alone, more than 100 households were scheduled to exit the program after being deemed ineligible.

Beyond housing challenges, the storm’s economic impact continued to ripple across the state. By February 2025, agricultural losses from Hurricane Helene were estimated at approximately $4.9 billion.[29] The damage affected farms across western North Carolina, including apple orchards and livestock operations, placing additional strain on rural economies already recovering from the storm.

State officials also began expanding oversight of recovery efforts. The North Carolina Office of the State Auditor launched the Helene Recovery Dashboard, an online tool designed to track recovery progress across affected counties.[30] The platform provides regularly updated FEMA data on displaced households, housing assistance, and other recovery indicators in counties including Buncombe, Haywood, and Watauga. State Auditor Dave Boliek said the dashboard was intended to improve transparency and coordination between state and federal agencies.[31]

In March 2025, after negotiations between the House and Senate, North Carolina lawmakers approved an additional $528 million in funding for Hurricane Helene recovery. The package focused on repairing homes, rebuilding roads and infrastructure, and supporting agriculture. The legislation brought the total amount of state disaster aid approved since the storm to more than $1.6 billion.[32]

Even as lawmakers approved additional funding, political debate continued over how recovery funds should be allocated. Some legislators introduced House Bill 154, which proposed redirecting $500 million from NCInnovation, a nonprofit created to commercialize research from North Carolina’s public universities.[33] Supporters argued the funds should instead be used to address urgent disaster recovery needs in western North Carolina.

Critics countered that the proposal appeared inconsistent with the state’s fiscal outlook. The Office of State Budget and Management and the General Assembly’s Fiscal Research Division had recently projected a $544 million state revenue surplus for the fiscal year ending June 30, driven by higher-than-expected income tax collections.[34]

Meanwhile, recovery projects continued across the region. By late April 2025, FEMA had approved 373 emergency response projects in western North Carolina totaling $451.8 million. Much of the funding was reimbursed through FEMA’s Public Assistance program.

Major reimbursements since January included $33 million to the North Carolina Department of Transportation for bridge repairs, $8.69 million to French Broad Electric Membership Corporation for power restoration, and $7.6 million to Rutherford County for debris removal. In total, more than $135 million in federal recovery funding had been distributed during the year to support rebuilding efforts.[35]

Governor Stein also requested an additional $891 million in recovery funding from the General Assembly as part of a broader proposal to increase total disaster appropriations beyond $2 billion.[36] The North Carolina House later approved a $465 million recovery package—about half the amount Stein requested. The bill included grants for farmers and storm-affected businesses, $33 million for public school repairs, and $60 million for a new business relief program requiring proof of at least $25,000 in storm-related losses.

Federal funding disputes also complicated the recovery process. FEMA declined North Carolina’s request to extend a temporary 100 percent federal cost-share for disaster recovery expenses. The agency maintained that its existing contribution—covering 90 percent of eligible costs rather than the typical 75 percent—already represented an extraordinary level of federal assistance.[37]

Despite the ongoing challenges, some signs of recovery began to emerge during the spring of 2025. Businesses across western North Carolina slowly reopened as repairs progressed and disaster aid began reaching communities.

In Henderson County, which produces roughly 85 percent of North Carolina’s apples, many growers were still struggling to rebuild orchards damaged by Hurricane Helene. Farmers including Kenny Barnwell and Trey Enloe said they faced significant out-of-pocket costs to replant trees because federal programs required expenses to be paid upfront before reimbursements were issued. Some local officials warned that relief payments might not arrive until late June—well into the growing season.[38]

Communities also began marking milestones in their recovery. The town of Marshall celebrated the reopening of its downtown district with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a four-day festival from May 1 to May 4 featuring live music, food vendors, art exhibits, and family activities.[39]

Environmental restoration efforts were also underway across the region. The New River Conservancy reported that more than 900 volunteers had removed nearly 56,000 pounds of debris, planted 34,000 trees and shrubs, removed hundreds of discarded tires, and conducted more than 100 water quality tests in rivers and streams affected by the storm.[40]

In Swannanoa—one of the communities hardest hit by Hurricane Helene—the scale of recovery challenges remained evident. A disaster relief station operating in the town for 189 days cost approximately $27.4 million, averaging about $145,000 per day while serving an estimated 7,500 to 11,300 residents needing basic services such as meals, showers, and laundry.[41]

The high operating costs, including $3.9 million spent on laundry services and hourly staff pay ranging from $87 to $145 plus per diem expenses, later prompted the State Auditor’s Office to call for stronger oversight of disaster relief spending.

Even amid the slow rebuilding process, personal stories of recovery continued to emerge. Nine months after losing his home during Hurricane Helene, Swannanoa resident Gary Allison received a fully furnished two-bedroom house donated by the faith-based nonprofit God’s Pit Crew. The organization plans to construct more than 30 homes for families displaced by the storm across western North Carolina.[42]

By July 2025, North Carolina had spent approximately $909 million repairing infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Helene—more than the total amount spent repairing storm damage during the previous eight years combined, including recovery from Hurricanes Florence and Matthew.[43]

Still, officials warned that rebuilding thousands of destroyed homes could not begin until additional federal funding was approved. State officials told lawmakers that only about 20 percent of the storm’s estimated damages had been funded so far—roughly $6 billion from insurers, $3.8 billion from federal aid, and $2.1 billion from state sources—leaving an estimated $48 billion still unfunded.[44]

North Carolina expected an additional $7 billion in federal disaster grants, but state officials said delays in FEMA approvals were slowing the recovery process.

FEMA later awarded an additional $96 million in recovery funds to North Carolina, bringing total federal disaster aid related to Hurricane Helene to more than $627 million.[45] Most of the new funding—about $65.2 million—was allocated to the North Carolina Department of Transportation for road repairs in Buncombe, McDowell, Mitchell, Wilkes, and Yancey counties, where several state highways remained closed or partially open.

Nearly a year after Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina, recovery across the region remained incomplete. New economic data showed job losses were significantly worse than early estimates suggested. By March 2025, employment in the Asheville metropolitan area had declined roughly 4 percent compared with the previous year, while a broader seven-county region experienced a 3 percent decline.[46]

Although consumer spending and electricity demand rebounded relatively quickly, the tourism sector lagged behind. Asheville Regional Airport passenger traffic fell about 6 percent, and Buncombe County lodging revenue dropped roughly 21 percent by mid-2025. Officials warned that workforce shortages and population displacement could slow the region’s recovery even as retail activity showed signs of resilience.

Federal disaster policy also became a legal battleground. North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson joined 11 other states in suing FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security over $17.5 million in emergency preparedness grants that had been frozen under new federal rules.[47] The states argued that the conditions attached to the funding—requiring certification of certain population data and shortening the grant spending window—were unlawful.

A federal court ultimately ruled in favor of the states, ordering FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security to release the funds. The decision returned roughly $17 million to North Carolina to support emergency management personnel and disaster preparedness programs.[48]

Meanwhile, FEMA approved an initial round of Hazard Mitigation Grant Program buyouts for properties damaged by Hurricane Helene. The funding included $14.2 million for Buncombe County and $9.2 million for Henderson County as part of a broader $23 million mitigation package aimed at reducing future flood risks across western North Carolina.[49]

After months of emergency response, legislative battles, and debates over disaster funding, state leaders began shifting their attention toward a longer-term question: how to rebuild western North Carolina in a way that strengthens its economy and infrastructure against future disasters. As recovery moved from immediate relief to long-term planning, officials, business leaders, and community organizations began outlining strategies aimed not only at repairing what Hurricane Helene destroyed but also at building a more resilient region.

State officials are now beginning to shape the long-term economic recovery strategy for western North Carolina following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. During a February 2 meeting organized by the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina (GROW NC), a state advisory subcommittee convened to discuss the region’s path forward.[50]

The Long-Term Economic Recovery Planning Subcommittee, which includes business leaders from Boone and communities across western North Carolina, identified workforce development, infrastructure investment, and housing stability as the most urgent priorities for rebuilding the region’s economy. Members also emphasized the need to support key industries—including agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism—while ensuring that state and federal assistance programs are coordinated effectively to avoid duplication and gaps in aid. The group plans to continue refining its recommendations while working with local governments as federal recovery funding timelines become clearer.

The meeting was part of a broader effort by state leaders to coordinate the region’s recovery. Governor Josh Stein recently announced the appointment of Leah Wong Ashburn, CEO of Asheville-based Highland Brewing Company, to serve as an at-large member of the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Western North Carolina Recovery.[51]

The advisory committee brings together local officials and regional business leaders—including Asheville’s mayor—to help shape policy recommendations and recovery priorities for communities affected by Hurricane Helene and other disruptions. Ashburn, who has served on several regional business and tourism boards, said she hopes to contribute the perspective of Asheville’s business and tourism sector as the region works to rebuild.

In the months ahead, the committee is expected to help guide the implementation of several recovery initiatives, including the Private Road and Bridge Program and the Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Program. These efforts are aimed not only at repairing damaged infrastructure but also at restoring natural systems and strengthening the region’s long-term economic stability.

Signs of recovery are already emerging in some communities. A year after Hurricane Helene caused an estimated $580 million in business losses during peak tourism season, Asheville-area businesses report that the 2025 holiday season marked significant progress. Restaurants such as The Corner Kitchen—rebuilt “from the inside out”—have reopened, while events like Highland Brewing’s Cold Mountain celebration have drawn large crowds, signaling renewed momentum for the region’s tourism economy. With $5 million in state Helene recovery funds supporting a coordinated tourism campaign, local officials say western North Carolina may be approaching the typical 12-to-14-month recovery timeline seen after major disasters.[52]

State recovery data also reflects gradual progress. As of May 6, 2026, the Helene Recovery Dashboard published by the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor reported approximately $4.5 billion in recovery spending, with 339 projects underway across affected counties.

Yet even as rebuilding continues, officials acknowledge that recovery remains an ongoing process. Roads, homes, farms, and small businesses across western North Carolina are still navigating the long path from disaster toward stability.

But the region’s recovery story is also one of resilience. From volunteer airlifts delivering supplies to isolated mountain communities in the storm’s earliest days, to small businesses reopening storefronts and residents rebuilding homes piece by piece, western North Carolina’s response has been defined as much by community determination as by government policy.

‍Across the region, that spirit has often been captured in a simple phrase that appeared on storefront windows, community fundraisers, and social media posts in the months following the storm: #WNCStrong.

For many residents, the phrase became more than a slogan. It captured the collective resolve of communities that faced landslides, destroyed infrastructure, political disputes, and months of uncertainty—and kept rebuilding anyway. In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, #WNCStrong came to symbolize something deeper than disaster recovery: the enduring strength of a region determined to restore its communities, protect its future, and prove that resilience in the mountains runs deeper than any storm.

References

[1] National Weather Service. (2024). Tropical Storm Helene: September 26–27, 2024. Retrieved from https://www.weather.gov/ilm/Helene2024

[2] Sigmon, Z. (2024, September 26). Western North Carolina on high alert for historic flooding from Helene. ABC 13 News. Retrieved from https://wlos.com/news/local/western-north-carolina-high-alert-historic-flooding-tropical-storm-helene-safety-tips

[3] ABC 11 News. (2020, October 15). A list of the most destructive hurricanes in North Carolina history. ABC 11 News. Retrieved from https://abc11.com/post/hurricane-hazel-florence-nc-diana/6997516/

[4] Stradling, R., & Raynor, D. (2024, October 3). Here’s a searchable database of NC roads closed and damaged by Tropical Storm Helene. The News & Observer. Retrieved from https://www.newsobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article293385689.html

[5] Grubb, T., Solomon, L., & Moore, M. H. (2024, December 3). ‘Help is on the way.’ A town-by-town look at how the Triangle is aiding Western NC. The News & Observer. Retrieved from https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article293341209.html

[6] Casey, M. (2024, October 4). Man starts helicopter mission, delivering 500,000 pounds of supplies near Asheville. WRAL News. Retrieved from https://www.wral.com/story/man-starts-helicopter-mission-delivering-500-000-pounds-of-supplies-near-asheville/21657046/

[7] Funderburg, G. (2024, October 17). Mayor of Chimney Rock provides first-hand look at devastation from Helene. CBS 17 News. Retrieved from https://www.cbs17.com/news/north-carolina-news/mayor-of-chimney-rock-provides-first-hand-look-at-devastation-from-helene/ 

[8] Kennell, T. (2024, October 25). Asheville Independent Restaurants calls for state's support, warns of ‘economic maelstrom’. Asheville Citizen Times. Retrieved from https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2024/10/25/air-calls-for-states-support-to-avoid-an-economic-maelstrom-that-will-cripple-western-north-carolina/75820768007/

[9] King, K. (2024, December 6). Buncombe County faces transportation challenges with 90 bridges damaged by Helene’s impact. ABC 13 News. Retrieved from https://wlos.com/news/local/five-billion-cost-to-repair-bridges-and-roads

[10] Sardonia, M., & Doty, K. (2024, December 5). FEMA extends transitional shelter aid for WNC Helene survivors through holidays. ABC 45 News. Retrieved from https://abc45.com/news/local/fema-extends-transitional-sheltering-assistance-western-north-carolina-helene-survivors-january-11-2025-motel-hotel-haywood-county-government

[11] Childress, G. (2024, November 27). Devastation gives way to resilience and hope in western NC. NC Newsline. Retrieved from https://ncnewsline.com/2024/11/27/devastation-gives-way-to-resilience-and-hope-in-western-nc/

[12] American Medical Association. (2024, October 23). IV shortage update: Baxter facility damage after hurricane in North Carolina 2024. Retrieved from https://www.ama-assn.org/public-health/behavioral-health/iv-shortage-update-baxter-facility-damage-after-hurricane-north

[13] Duffy, C., & Gallagher, D. (2024, October 2). Devastation from Hurricane Helene could bring semiconductor chipmaking to a halt. CNN. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/02/tech/semiconductor-supply-chain-north-carolina-helene

[14] Doran, W. (2024, October 10). Cooper signs Helene recovery package into law, with $273 million in disaster relief. WRAL News. Retrieved from https://www.wral.com/story/cooper-signs-helene-recovery-package-into-law-with-273-million-in-disaster-relief/21666814/

[15] Childress, G. (2024, October 16). Gov. Roy Cooper issues order to increase maximum unemployment benefit to $600 weekly. NC Newsline. Retrieved from https://ncnewsline.com/briefs/gov-roy-cooper-issues-order-to-increase-maximum-unemployment-benefit-to-600-weekly/

[16] Berger, J. (2024, October 17). Secretary Buttigieg and state, local leaders discuss recovery and resilience strategies. ABC 13 News. Retrieved from https://wlos.com/news/local/secretary-buttigieg-local-leaders-recovery-resilience-strategies-ncdot-governor-roy-cooper

[17] Specht, P., & Leslie, L. (2024, October 24). NC lawmakers unanimously approve $604M Helene relief bill. Measure now goes to Cooper. WRAL News. Retrieved from https://www.wral.com/story/nc-lawmakers-unanimously-approve-604m-helene-relief-bill-measure-now-goes-to-cooper/21686541/

[18] Opeka, T. (2024, December 9). Vance tells Helene-ravaged western NC residents that they “aren’t forgotten.” Carolina Journal. Retrieved from https://www.carolinajournal.com/vp-elect-vance-tells-helene-ravaged-western-nc-residents-they-arent-forgotten/

[19] Robertson, G. D. (2024, October 23). North Carolina government calculates Hurricane Helene damages, needs at least $53B. Associated Press. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/north-carolina-hurricane-helene-damage-estimate-1c32acaf158bf17eae815926ea682c0e

[20] WLOS Staff. (2025, July 7). Names of 108 victims killed by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina released: NCDHHS. ABC 13 News. Retrieved from https://wlos.com/news/local/names-108-victims-killed-hurricane-helene-severe-damage-recovery-search-rescue-deaths-north-carolina-released-ncdhhs-department-health-human-services-storm-related-confirmed-fatalities

[21] Pulver, D. V. (2025, March 20). Hurricane Helene killed 248 people, National Hurricane Center report finds. Asheville Citizen Times. Retrieved from https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/nation/2025/03/20/helene-national-hurricane-center-report/82550666007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z113918v113918d--43--b--43--&gca-ft=187&gca-ds=sophi

[22] Santana, R., & Loller, T. (2024, December 21). Here’s a look at the $100 billion in disaster relief in the government spending bill. Associated Press. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/disaster-relief-government-spending-bill-helene-milton-d2b4fed85aabfe5cd1cc45e51d952ca8

[23] Bacharier, G., Bonner, L., & Zhu, C. (2025, January 8). NC legislature returns, with Hurricane Helene aid and oversight as top priorities. NC Newsline. Retrieved from https://ncnewsline.com/2025/01/08/nc-legislature-returns-with-hurricane-helene-aid-and-oversight-as-top-priorities/

[24] Kane, D. (2024, November 23). NC GOP leaders moving fast to grab power after Democrats win state office is a repeat. The News & Observer. Retrieved from https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article295858479.html

[25] Childress, G. (2025, January 17). Gov. Josh Stein calls on FEMA to extend hotel vouchers for Helene victims in western NC. NC Newsline. Retrieved from https://ncnewsline.com/briefs/gov-josh-steins-calls-on-fema-to-extend-hotel-vouchers-for-helene-victims-in-western-nc/

[26] NC OSBM Helene Damage and Needs Assessment published on December 13, 2024. Retrieved from chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://webservices.ncleg.gov/ViewDocSiteFile/92804

[27] Kraemer, B. (2025, January 30). GROW NC office and state lawmakers clash over temporary housing needs in western NC. Carolina Journal. Retrieved from https://www.carolinajournal.com/grow-nc-office-and-state-lawmakers-clash-over-temporary-housing-needs-in-western-nc/

[28] Hofmann, W. (2025, February 7). 5,000 FEMA Helene hotel vouchers ended in 1 month as residents search for housing. Asheville Citizen Times. Retrieved from https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2025/02/07/5000-fema-helene-hotel-vouchers-ended-in-1-month-as-residents-search-for-housing/78243812007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z112818p002250c002250v112818d--33--b--33--&gca-ft=229&gca-ds=sophi

[29] EHN Curators. (2025, February 20). North Carolina farmers still struggle months after Hurricane Helene. Environmental Health News. Retrieved from https://www.ehn.org/north-carolina-farmers-still-struggle-months-after-hurricane-helene

[30] Opeka, T. (2025, February 11). State Auditor Boliek’s office launches Helene Recovery Dashboard. Carolina Journal. Retrieved from https://www.carolinajournal.com/state-auditor-bolieks-office-launches-helene-recovery-dashboard/

[31] Helene Recovery Dashboard. Retrieved from https://www.auditor.nc.gov/dashboards/helene

[32] George, T. (2025, March 19).  North Carolina lawmakers approve additional $528M for Hurricane Helene recovery. ABC 11 News. Retrieved from https://abc11.com/post/north-carolina-lawmakers-approve-additional-528m-hurricane-helene-recovery/16052414/

[33] Moore, J. (2025, February 19). State lawmakers file bill to reclaim $500 million in taxpayer funds from NCInnovation. Carolina Journal. Retrieved from https://www.carolinajournal.com/state-lawmakers-file-bill-to-reclaim-500-million-in-taxpayer-funds-from-ncinnovation/

[34] CJ Staff. (2025, February 18). NC revenue forecast shows $544M surplus amid scheduled tax cuts. Carolina Journal. Retrieved from https://www.carolinajournal.com/nc-revenue-forecast-shows-544m-surplus-amid-scheduled-tax-cuts/

[35] Emert, J. (2025, April 24). FEMA reimburses $451.8M for post-Helene recovery in Western North Carolina. ABC 13 News. Retrieved from https://wlos.com/news/local/fema-reimburses-4518-million-dollars-hurricane-helene-recovery-western-north-carolina-debris-removal-utility-restoration-emergency-repairs-emergency-supplies

[36] Robertson, G. (2025, May 23). North Carolina House advances more Hurricane Helene aid in $465M package. ABC 13 News. Retrieved from https://wlos.com/news/local/north-carolina-house-advances-more-hurricane-helene-aid-465-million-dollars-package-governor-josh-stein-businesses-local-recovery-funds-state-storm-loss-flooding

[37] Biba, J. (2025, May 26). FEMA again denies NC’s request for extension of 100% cost share for Helene recovery. Asheville Citizen Times. Retrieved from https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2025/05/26/fema-extension-of-100-cost-share-for-helene-still-not-warranted/83861445007/?taid=683488ff145a8800019e3307

[38] Russell, G. F. (2025, May 2). Henderson County apple growers are hurting as disaster relief is slow to arrive. Asheville Citizen Times. Retrieved from https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2025/05/02/apple-farmers-in-henderson-county-wait-on-much-needed-disaster-aid/83365801007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z115110v115110d--57--b--57--&gca-ft=144&gca-ds=sophi

[39] Petithomme, N. (2025, May 2). 'The town is alive now': Marshall celebrates reopening 7 months after Helene. ABC 13 News. Retrieved from https://wlos.com/news/local/marshall-celebrates-reopening-7-months-after-helene-north-carolina-town-businesses-damage-main-street-comics-reopen

[40] Hernandez, F. (2025, May 9). NRC shares post-Helene six month report. Ashe Post & Times. Retrieved form https://www.ashepostandtimes.com/news/nrc-shares-post-helene-six-month-report/article_93d58fec-084c-425f-a540-00752718bad4.html

[41] Bailly, S. (2025, June 10).  This NC Helene recovery site cost $27.4M to operate for 6 months, auditor says. The News & Observer. Retrieved from https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article307954055.html

[42] Petithomme, N. (2025, June 19). Swannanoa homeowner receives new home from a faith based nonprofit after Helene. ABC 45 News. Retrieved from https://abc45.com/news/local/swannanoa-resident-new-home-gods-pit-crew-faith-based-nonprofit-fema-hurricane-helene-danville-virginia-north-carolina-housing-assistance

[43] Kingdollar, B. (2025, August 6). Helene road and bridge repairs rise to more than $900M, NCDOT says. NC Newsline. Retrieved from https://ncnewsline.com/briefs/helene-road-bridge-repair-cost-damage-900m-ncdot/

[44] Wagner, A. (2025, July 31). NC officials say they hope to start rebuilding homes Helene destroyed within a year of storm. WUNC News. Retrieved from  https://www.wunc.org/politics/2025-07-31/nc-officials-rebuilding-homes-helene-destroyed

[45] Skipper, E. & Doty, K. (2025, August 22). $96M in additional FEMA funds approved for Helene recovery, road repair costs. ABC 13 News. Retrieved from https://wlos.com/news/local/96-million-additional-fema-funds-approved-helene-recovery-buncombe-mcdowell-mitchell-yancey-road-repair-public-assistance-program-reimbursing

[46] Berger-Gross, A. (2025, September 8). September 2025 NC Economy Watch: Western North Carolina Faces an Incomplete Recovery After Hurricane Helene. NC Department of Commerce, Labor & Economic Analysis Division. Retrieved from https://www.commerce.nc.gov/news/the-lead-feed/sept-2025-nc-economy-watch

[47] Hackett, L. (2025, November 6). North Carolina files lawsuit against FEMA over $17.5 million in withheld grants. WUNC News. Retrieved from https://www.wunc.org/2025-11-06/north-carolina-files-lawsuit-against-fema-over-17-5-million-in-withheld-grants

[48] Sonmez, F. (2025, December 29). NC, 11 other states win lawsuit against FEMA over emergency preparedness grants. WUNC News. Retrieved from https://www.wunc.org/2025-12-29/nc-11-other-states-win-lawsuit-against-fema-over-emergency-preparedness-grants

[49] Hackett, L., & Albert III, G. (2026, January 14). FEMA approves first batch of home buyouts. Homeowners still face a lengthy process. WUNC News. Retrieved from https://www.wunc.org/2026-01-14/fema-approves-first-batch-of-home-buyouts-homeowners-still-face-a-lengthy-process

[50] Dance, A. (2026 February 5). GROW NC subcommittee outlines workforce, housing priorities. Carolina Journal. Retrieved from https://www.carolinajournal.com/grow-nc-subcommittee-outlines-workforce-housing-priorities/

[51] Mendez, M., & Palmer, G. (2026, February 12). CEO of Highland Brewing appointed to advisory committee on WNC recovery. ABC 13 News. Retrieved from https://wlos.com/news/local/ceo-of-highland-brewing-appointed-to-advisory-committee-on-wnc-recovery

[52] Coffey, S. (2025, November 27). Businesses, tourism officials see signs of the comeback in WNC 14 months after Helene. ABC 11 News. Retrieved from  https://abc11.com/post/helene-asheville-nc-businesses-tourism-officials-see-bright-future-western-14-months-hurricane-ripped-area-apart/18219480/