U.S. Senator Ted Budd said in an April 23 statement that Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin approved more than $238 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds for Hurricane Helene recovery projects in Western North Carolina.
The funding aims to reimburse localities for storm recovery projects, including road repairs, bridge work, debris removal and emergency protective measures tied to Tropical Storm Helene, according to Budd’s office. The listed projects include awards to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Cleveland County, North Carolina Emergency Management and the city of Asheville, according to FEMA.
“Secretary Mullin is delivering on the promises he made to Western North Carolina by securing $238+ million in FEMA funds. My focus remains on ensuring the federal government continues to do its part and make sure funding reaches our Appalachian communities as quickly as possible,” Budd said according to his official statement.
FEMA announced about $260 million in reimbursements to local governments and state agencies for Hurricane Helene recovery work. The largest reimbursements included $125.5 million to North Carolina Emergency Management, $57.6 million to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, $42.7 million to Cleveland County and $5 million to the city of Asheville according to BPR.
With this latest round of funding, FEMA has provided more than $5 billion in total reimbursements for work completed after Hurricane Helene. The storm caused about $60 billion in damage in Western North Carolina according to BPR.
Budd previously served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives for North Carolina’s 13th congressional district before being elected as a Republican senator in 2022 according to his official website. He maintains a focus on disaster relief and support for rural Appalachian communities.
