(The Center Square) – Nearly $1 billion is being requested of the North Carolina General Assembly by Gov. Josh Stein for help in recovery from Hurricane Helene.
The first-term Democrat said Monday he’s seeking $891 million. Economic recovery and support to businesses and local governments promoting tourism would account for $260 million, and another $239 million would bolster infrastructure including damaged schools and debris clean-up.
“Western North Carolina is coming back strong,” Stein said, “but there is much more work to do. I urge the General Assembly to pass a second round of funding so that the rebuilding and recovery efforts can continue as quickly and effectively as possible.”
The Senate’s budget proposal includes Helene funding. The House of Representatives will release its budget on Tuesday and a release from Speaker Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, late Monday said NCInnovation funding will be redirected toward Helene disaster relief and recovery.
An amount was not affixed to that redirection. The 2023 state budget appropriated $500 million of taxpayers’ money.
Whether intentional or inadvertent, Stein’s math on relief packages considers himself and the new Legislature rather than the people of western North Carolina. He signed the state’s fourth relief package on March 20, $524 million assistance that pushed the General Assembly’s appropriations past $1.4 billion.
Former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper signed the first three in 2024.
Within the legislation known as Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 – Part 1, or House Bill 47, was $200 million to Helene-specific crop-loss and farm restoration; $120 million for rebuilding and repairing home; and $100 million for repairing private roads and bridges.
There’s also money for small business infrastructure grants; debris removal; volunteer organizations deemed essential; volunteer fire departments; learning recovery for students; and travel and tourism marketing.
In the earlier packages by the Legislature, the Disaster Recovery Act of 2024 passed Oct. 9. The $273 million package was mostly to different state agencies and local governments which could then use the money to help those most affected. It included $250 million for the state and local match of federal disaster assistance programs; $16 million for the Department of Public Instruction for school nutrition employee compensation; $5 million for the State Board of Elections Administration changes; and $2 million to the Office of State Budget and Management for grants.
The bill also included assistance in education; agriculture and environmental quality; transportation; retirements; taxes; the Department of Health and Human Services; and some election-related changes.
The Disaster Recovery Act of 2024 – Part II was passed Oct. 24. This legislation provided more than $877 million toward relief from Helene, and another $40 million for four storms. The largest portions were $100 million to the Local Government Commission, $100 million to the Department of Environmental Quality, and $75 million for state and local match of federal disaster assistance programs.
The third package, Disaster Relief-3/Budget/Various Law Changes, required a veto override to get through and has since been litigated. The legislation was 132 pages, the first 13 of which were related to Helene and the remainder for the “various law changes” that include shifting authorities from elected offices. The latter was the sticking point.
Congress approved in December about $9 billion of a $110 billion package to the state. This does not include FEMA money, projected in the billions of dollars. The total is expected to help block development programs; farmers; infrastructure to include roads, highways and bridges; and drinking water infrastructure.
FEMA said its assistance has eclipsed $10 million.
This is the 34th week of recovery from Helene. The storm made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in Dekle Beach, Fla., on Sept. 26. It was expected to come north to the Appalachian Mountains; however, the rainfall total from its dissipation there exceeded all forecasts.
Some places got more than 30 inches, most were at 24 inches or more. Due to terrain, water often rushed before it pooled and flooded – very unlike the flooding that happens in the coastal plains.
