North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has approved over $600 million in disaster relief funding for western North Carolina counties impacted by Hurricane Helene, following the passage of the recovery bill by legislators.
This bill is the second round of recovery funding for western North Carolina, with the initial relief package of $273 million passed earlier this month. It aims to address an estimated $53 billion in damages and recovery needs in the region post-Helene.
“Western North Carolina requires substantial investments to fully recover from the most severe storm our state has experienced,” said Cooper in a statement on Friday. “Legislators have taken an initial step, and it is crucial to follow up with a more comprehensive package to assist families, businesses, and communities in rebuilding stronger.”
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The aftermath of Helene in western North Carolina resulted in extensive devastation, including 1,400 landslides and damage to over 160 water and sewer systems, as reported by the state budget office. Additionally, the storm disrupted transportation networks by impacting more than 6,000 miles of roads and over 1,000 bridges and culverts in the region.
North Carolina officials have confirmed 98 storm-related deaths in the state.
Among the relief efforts funded in the latest recovery bill, there are allocations of $50 million for small business loans, $100 million for local government water repairs, and $5 million for mental health resources for public school students.
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The approved funds on Thursday fell short of the $3.9 billion requested by Gov. Cooper for aiding businesses, agriculture, and utility repairs. Republican lawmakers have indicated they will review the funding request in the upcoming weeks, with the General Assembly reconvening on Nov. 19.
“We are still assessing the necessary actions,” stated Senate leader Phil Berger. “For now, we have allocated sufficient resources to address urgent matters that are time-sensitive.”
Additionally, legislators passed a separate bill requiring early in-person voting sites for every 30,000 registered voters in 13 western North Carolina counties under state law, with immediate effect as a local bill not requiring the Governor’s approval.
