The federal US government has authorized an extra $155 million to support North Carolina’s ongoing recovery from Tropical Storm Helene and other previous disasters. The funding, approved under the direction of President Donald J. Trump and announced by Secretary Kristi Noem, is aimed at restoring damaged infrastructure, essential services, and long-term rebuilding.
A senior Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said that the administration is focused on expediting assistance and ensuring communities have the resources needed to rebuild stronger and safer.
Key FEMA Grants Awarded to the State and Local Communities
• $54 million for the North Carolina Department of Transportation to restore roads, bridges, embankments, and culverts damaged by severe rainfall and flooding across 11 heavily affected counties.
• $23 million for French Broad Electric Corporation, which serves more than 43,000 members in Western North Carolina, to fund emergency power restoration and repair electrical distribution systems including poles, fiber optic lines, meters, and wiring.
• $17.4 million for the Rutherford Electric Membership Corporation, serving over 67,000 customers, to repair transmission lines, electrical poles, and other facilities impacted by Helene.
• $14.8 million for Henderson County to remove more than 55,000 cubic yards of vegetative debris, nearly 20,000 cubic yards of construction and demolition debris, 270 hazardous trees, and 140 dangerous hanging limbs from private properties and public rights of way for community safety.
• $9.6 million to Buncombe County to support emergency protective measures, private property debris removal, and repairs to multiple gravel roads and culverts damaged by heavy rainfall and high winds.
• $1.6 million to the town of Boone for repairs on Hunting Hills Lane, including replacement of asphalt, pavement, and guardrails, and installation of soil nail walls to prevent future damage from fast-moving water.
• $1.4 million to the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources for restoration work at Paddy’s Creek Beach and Catawba Beach, including sand replacement, repairs to retaining walls, and restoration of channel stone lining.
• $1.3 million to the Buncombe County Board of Education for repairs at North Buncombe Middle School and Sand Hill Venable Elementary School, including soil replacement and replacement of steel pipes to ensure student and staff safety during future flooding.
So far, more than $957 million has been allocated to North Carolina for debris removal, road repairs, infrastructure restoration, and emergency protection related to the 2024 hurricane season. Since January 20, 2025, over $632 million in Public Assistance funding has been approved to support recovery efforts across the state.
