NC recovery groups say FEMA is ‘obstacle’ in Helene relief, urge more dollars

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – One year after Hurricane Helene, recovery hasn’t stopped. The toll is physical and emotional.

“The grieving is still heavy in these communities, and the trigger will be this weekend on the anniversary when people will reflect on what’s happening,” Luther Harrison with Samaritan’s Purse said.

There’s also a major financial toll.

“Our biggest obstacle is the lack of clarity and consistent guidance from FEMA; every time we get close to the finish line, they change the goal post,” Dennis Aldridge, the county commissioner in Avery County, said.

The storm caused $60 billion in damage. The General Assembly has funded over $1 billion in recovery dollars so far. The federal government has covered less than 10% of the bill.

Governor Josh Stein recently requested an additional $13.5 billion from the federal government, but recovery groups say even when federal money comes, it’s slow.

“When it does hit the state, if you guys could pay those funds fast, we would much appreciate that because we know there’s been a long drag, there’s been a long drag on the other side of it,” Lynn Austin, the county manager in Yancey County, said.

At a Wednesday meeting between lawmakers and recovery groups, legislators widely agree that more funding is desperately needed.

“I want to get to the question of how much do you need? If we could get another round of those loans, how much do your counties need and could they use?” Senator Ralph Hise said. “And how much could we begin to calculate for all of western North Carolina, if we have funds sitting there that are going to be paid back by the feds?”

Governor Stein has said several times that the federal government has not met the moment in North Carolina, and they have helped other states more with emergencies.

In May, FEMA denied a reimbursement request from North Carolina.