North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein is requesting an additional $19 billion in federal assistance for Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. North Carolina is facing more than $60 billion in damage from the storm, the governor said.
Helene moved through western North Carolina on Sept. 27, bringing landslides and flooding that swept away homes and businesses. More than 100 people died.
Related: Communities devastated by Helene continue to rebuild
According to state leaders, more than 40% of North Carolina's population lives in one of the 39 disaster-stricken counties eligible for federal assistance.
Stein submitted a federal funding request to President Donald Trump and members of Congress on Thursday, outlining money needed and where it would be allocated.
“The state is currently considering its next wave of appropriations to address the rebuilding effort, but there is simply not enough money in our state budget to address our pressing needs,” Stein said in the letter, referencing the devastation the state was still recovering from after Helene.
The requested funds would go toward repairing homes, restoring infrastructure, supporting businesses, providing resources to local governments and preparing for future natural disasters.
Money would also go toward childcare centers, schools, living facilities and health care centers damaged during Helene.
“Efforts by state, federal [and] local authorities have resulted in progress. But Helene’s toll is staggering, and much more work is needed to achieve stability and a sense of normalcy in the region,” Stein said in the letter.
In addition to homes, properties, buildings and businesses, Helene destroyed sewage and water treatment systems in multiple communities, which are undergoing repair. Many are still not fully operational.
“Landslides and flooding cut residents off from the outside help and communities. Reconstruction of these vital structures is time-consuming and complicated by the geography of the region and the preponderance of privately-owned roads, bridges and culverts,” Stein said.
The funding request also mentions “multi-year damage,” which affected the agriculture and tourism industry in western North Carolina. Farms were damaged and will need years to regrow crops. National parks may not return to normal for years.
Other efforts to help farmers and small businesses are detailed in the funding request.
“North Carolina requests that Congress allow the thousands of small businesses and farms impacted by the storm to fully deduct Helen-caused losses on their federal income tax returns for tax years 2024 through 2026,” Stein said.
Most homeowners in western North Carolina do not carry flood insurance, and their resources are limited.
“Only 4.2% of owner-occupied households with flood damage have flood insurance, resulting in an estimated $9.5 billion in uninsured residential property losses,” Stein said, adding that more than 185,000 homes reported damage from Helene.
The state has received over $3 billion so far in direct assistance and grants, like technical assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Army Corps of Engineers and other federal agencies, according to state leaders.
The governor is asking Congress to ensure programs like FEMA have the funding needed to meet the federal cost-share for critical programs.
Those still needing individual assistance through FEMA may submit claims through March 8, but Stein is requesting the deadline be extended by 90 days.
The funding request is also asking for a 180-day extension for FEMA emergency work to ensure all debris is removed and disposed of.
FEMA was authorized to reimburse funds for permanent home repairs during Hurricane Harvey, and state leaders are asking for the same authorization for Helene.
Trump suggested “getting rid of” FEMA while touring disaster zones in California and North Carolina last month.
Related: Some in Hurricane Helene-ravaged North Carolina embrace Trump push to abolish FEMA
Stein is requesting to increase transportation and highway administration reimbursements from 80% to 100% for eligible costs to repair major corridors.
The storm damaged about 5,000 miles of state-maintained roads, 835 public bridges and 875 culverts, according to state leaders. At least 171 roads are still closed across the state.
“In total, transportation-related damage and needs exceeds $9 billion,” Stein said.
Aside from funding for roads, bridges and railroad tracks, $2.2 million is needed to repair damage to general aviation airports, state leaders said.
North Carolina leaders are asking for help in supporting tribal lands that were damaged during Helene, specifically for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
“North Carolina is requesting an additional $19 billion in federal assistance to help meet the needs of our residents at this crucial moment,” Stein said in the letter.