Additional Federal Funds Allocated for North Carolina Disaster Recovery

Washington D.C. – The federal government has announced an allocation of an additional $155 million in reimbursement funds designated for North Carolina’s recovery efforts from Tropical Storm Helene and other past disaster-related projects. This funding is intended to assist communities in repairing critical infrastructure, restoring essential services, and continuing rebuilding initiatives.

A significant portion of the newly approved funds, $54 million, has been directed to the North Carolina Department of Transportation. This funding will support the repair and restoration of various transportation infrastructure elements, including roads, bridges, embankments, and culverts, which sustained damage due to heavy rains, flooding, and surface water runoff in 11 counties particularly impacted by the storm.

The French Broad Electric Corporation, which serves over 43,000 members across Western North Carolina, will receive $23 million. These funds are earmarked for the emergency restoration of power following Tropical Storm Helene and will also cover necessary repairs to the electric power distribution system. This includes the replacement and repair of essential components such as utility poles, fiber optic cables, electrical wire, and meters. Similarly, Rutherford Electric Membership Corporation, providing service to more than 67,000 customers, has been allocated $17.4 million. This funding will address repairs to their facilities, including electrical poles, transmission lines, and electrical lines damaged during the storm.

In Henderson County, $14.8 million has been allocated for substantial debris removal efforts. This includes the removal of approximately 55,200 cubic yards of vegetative debris, 19,600 cubic yards of commercial and demolition debris, and the mitigation of over 270 hazardous trees and 140 hanging limbs. This work is crucial for both private property and public rights of way to ensure public safety. Buncombe County will receive $9.6 million for emergency protective measures, private property debris removal across the county, and repairs to several gravel roads and culverts that were damaged by excessive rain and wind.

Smaller, yet significant, allocations are also being made to specific municipalities and organizations. The town of Boone has been granted $1.6 million for repairs to sections of road on Hunting Hills Lane. These repairs include the removal and replacement of asphalt and pavement, as well as guard rails. The funding will also support the installation of soil nail walls designed to mitigate future damage from high-velocity water flows. The North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources will receive $1.4 million for repair work at Paddy’s Creek Beach and Catawba Beach, focusing on the restoration of beach sand, the retaining wall, and the channel stone lining. Additionally, the Buncombe County Board of Education has been allocated $1.3 million for repairs to North Middle School and Sand Hill Venable Elementary School. These repairs will involve soil replacement and the removal and installation of steel pipes, among other necessary work to ensure the safety of students and faculty during future flooding events.

These additional funds contribute to a larger ongoing recovery effort in North Carolina. To date, the state has received over $957 million for road repairs, debris removal, critical infrastructure repairs, and emergency protective measures related to the 2024 Hurricane Season. Furthermore, since January 20, 2025, more than $632 million in Public Assistance reimbursements have been approved to bolster North Carolina’s recovery initiatives.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from a federal press release.

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