FEMA Allocates $155 Million for North Carolina Tropical storm Helene Recovery

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which includes FEMA, has detailed how $155 million in disaster assistance announced on November 4 will be distributed for debris removal and othre recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Helene in North Carolina.

Henderson County will receive $14.8 million to cover costs including the removal of nearly 75,000 cubic yards of debris, according to a November 7 Department of Homeland Security news release.

Buncombe County is slated to receive $9.6 million for emergency protective measures, private property debris removal, and road repairs.

Helene caused significant damage to Western North Carolina last September, resulting in over 100 fatalities, damage or destruction to thousands of homes, and an estimated $60 billion in damage to roads, businesses, and other infrastructure.

The $14.8 million from FEMA will be used to pay $13.2 million in waterway debris removal and $1.6 million in right-of-way debris removal that has been completed and billed by contractors but not yet paid by the county, Henderson County Manager John Mitchell told the Times-News on November 12.

“I’m very pleased that FEMA has recognized and funded this money, which has already been approved by the United States goverment and the State of North Carolina.It will greatly help maintain a positive cash position in the county,” he said.

Most of the debris removal work in Henderson County is already finished. The county has not paid out of pocket for debris removal since July, when North carolina assumed those upfront costs, as previously reported by the Times-news.

However, reimbursement for funds already spent on contractors and other recovery expenses has been delayed.