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North Carolina Faces Setback in Disaster Aid after Hurricane Helene

Aerial view of hurricane damage in North Carolina

News Summary

The Trump administration has denied North Carolina’s request for increased disaster assistance following the destruction from Hurricane Helene, hindering recovery efforts. Governor Josh Stein stated that essential debris removal continues, but financial support for infrastructure and small businesses is critically needed. Recent research highlights issues of social inequality and misinformation that have impacted the recovery process, as many eligible residents remain hesitant to apply for federal aid.

Asheville, North Carolina – The Trump administration has denied North Carolina’s request for hundreds of millions of dollars in increased disaster aid following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. This decision marks a significant setback for recovery efforts in the state, particularly in the western region, which is still grappling with the aftermath of the storm that resulted in over 100 fatalities and severe destruction.

In April, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) initially denied the state’s request, and after an appeal, reaffirmed the denial last week. FEMA has offered to match only 75% of the recovery expenses related to the hurricane, an exception allowing for 90% matching was still below North Carolina’s aspiration for full 100% funding.

Governor Josh Stein has reported that over 12 million cubic yards of debris have already been cleared from affected areas, but he emphasized that more debris remains to be removed, which diverts funds from other critical recovery needs such as small business support and infrastructure repair. To aid in the comprehensive recovery and rebuilding efforts, Governor Stein has requested a total of $19 billion from President Trump and Congress.

The aftermath of Hurricane Helene has highlighted the severe needs of the community. Locally, there are approximately 7,000 private roads and bridges in need of repair, with many businesses, especially in Chimney Rock, still closed months after the hurricane hit. Community leaders contend that the full recovery process could extend up to a decade.

Buncombe County has experienced a worrying rise in homelessness since the storm, with numbers more than tripling as a direct result of the disaster. Cleanup efforts continue, particularly in Lake Lure, where more than a million cubic yards of debris have been removed, yet many individuals and families remain in dire circumstances.

Many small businesses in Western North Carolina are reporting a lack of support from insurance, federal grants, or loans, with less than 15% of eligible households having applied for assistance following Hurricane Helene as of April. Historical comparisons indicate that the devastation wrought by Helene is reminiscent of the Flood of 1916, which also resulted in widespread destruction across the region.

Research has underscored that social inequality, particularly along racial lines, has historically hindered recovery efforts. This issue has been further exacerbated by misinformation spread by certain political figures, significantly undermining public trust in government assistance. As a result, many locals are reticent to pursue federal aid despite eligibility, citing a deep-rooted skepticism towards the federal government and its disaster assistance initiatives.

Misinformation regarding available federal aid has led to significant lagging in applications for FEMA assistance, thereby complicating the recovery landscape. Some local officials have highlighted that a considerable percentage of individuals who qualify for aid have not yet sought available assistance. This indicates that the political climate, alongside public distrust in local leadership, has deeply influenced perceptions of FEMA and the overall disaster recovery process.

As North Carolina continues to grapple with the impacts of Hurricane Helene, local leaders remain focused on advocating for necessary support and resources to rebuild their communities. The ongoing efforts highlight the critical need for reliable federal disaster assistance in the wake of such catastrophic events.