North Carolina lawmakers have passed almost $900 million in disaster relief spending for recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. The funding is just a preliminary figure, with the final cost still being calculated. Governor Roy Cooper has requested an initial $3.9 billion package to start rebuilding efforts, as estimates indicate at least $53 billion in damages in North Carolina alone, making Helene one of the costliest weather disasters in the US since 1980.
The funds will go towards rebuilding critical infrastructure, homes, businesses, farms, and schools that were damaged by the hurricane. The devastating storm caused 1,400 landslides, damaged thousands of miles of roads, bridges, and homes, and resulted in 96 confirmed deaths in North Carolina, although the death toll was recently reduced after a county corrected its count. The damage report projects almost $50 billion in damages and mitigation expenses, with federal and private sources expected to cover some of the costs.
Cooper’s request includes funding for business recovery programs, grants for farmers, and assistance for homeowners and renters. Most of the losses from the disaster will likely not be recovered, as many affected residents did not have flood or crop insurance. The state is also preparing for federal assistance and a larger program for rebuilding efforts. The devastation caused by Hurricane Helene highlights the urgent need for continued support and funding to help the state recover and rebuild after this unprecedented disaster.
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