Secretary Noem Announces $116 Million in Federal Aid for North Carolina’s Helene Recovery
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has approved more than $116 million in federal funding for North Carolina’s ongoing recovery from Tropical Storm Helene, pushing the total federal investment past the billion-dollar mark. The announcement comes as communities across the state continue rebuilding infrastructure damaged when the powerful storm swept through the region.
“This investment will repair and restore critical public infrastructure across North Carolina, including schools, public safety facilities, utilities, and community services,” Secretary Noem said in a statement. “North Carolina communities are rebuilding stronger, and today’s approvals show this Administration’s commitment to cutting red tape and getting recovery dollars out the door faster.”
The funding package divides the money into two main categories: $72 million for immediate infrastructure restoration and $44.6 million for hazard mitigation projects designed to prevent similar damage in future storms. The Department of Homeland Security had previously allocated over $1 billion to the state’s recovery efforts.
Where the Money Goes
Among the largest recipients, the North Carolina Department of Transportation will receive $34.7 million to repair roads and bridges at more than 300 sites across affected counties. Rutherford County has been granted $17.6 million specifically for debris removal, while the city of Asheville will get $10.5 million for various repair projects. Smaller but critical infrastructure funding includes $3.7 million to Beech Mountain for sewer and wastewater system repairs.
The hazard mitigation portion of the package takes a forward-looking approach. Buncombe County will receive $14.2 million to acquire flood-prone properties, with Henderson County getting $9.2 million for similar purposes. In Beaufort County, $2.5 million will help elevate 14 homes in areas vulnerable to flooding.
What’s behind this latest round of funding? FEMA has already paid over $549 million in direct grants to survivors, but infrastructure repairs and mitigation projects require separate, often slower approval processes.
Mixed Political Reactions
The announcement has drawn varied responses along political lines. Republican Senator Ted Budd expressed gratitude for the funding, though he referenced a slightly different figure in his statement.
“I am grateful to Secretary Noem for approving $155 million in public assistance funding to reimburse Western North Carolina communities following Hurricane Helene,” Budd said. “These funds are vital to ensure cleanup and rebuilding efforts do not continue to strain local government budgets more than a year later.”
But not all lawmakers have praised Noem’s handling of the recovery effort. Democratic Congresswoman Deborah Ross sharply criticized the secretary, claiming she has impeded the aid process.
“Noem is personally responsible for slowing the flow of federal aid dollars to support Helene reconstruction in Western NC,” Ross said. “Because of her, families and communities that lost everything have been forced to wait months for the help they need to get back on their feet.”
In her announcement, Noem specifically thanked several Republican lawmakers for their “strong advocacy on behalf of North Carolinians,” including Congresswoman Virginia Foxx, Senator Budd, Congressmen Chuck Edwards and David Rouzer, and Republican Party Chairman Michael Whatley.
For residents still rebuilding more than a year after Helene struck, the political back-and-forth likely matters less than seeing recovery projects finally moving forward in their communities — though questions remain about whether the pace of aid distribution will accelerate in the months ahead.
