Hurricane Helene devastated WNC, with 81 lives lost in North Carolina’s 11th District.
In some areas, water crested up to 30 feet above normal levels, though locals report crests as high as 40 feet, destroying entire communities as it rushed through our mountain valleys, carrying away homes, cars and roads.
During a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing, I shared insight into the aftermath of Helene, including how FEMA’s response was in some ways effective and how, in other ways, there were significant issues that need to be addressed.
For example, on Day Three after the storm, FEMA announced it had delivered 400 pallets of desperately needed water to Western North Carolina, but when asked where those supplies had been delivered, FEMA could not provide a single location.
As members of Congress, it is our job to conduct rigorous oversight and hold FEMA accountable for its disaster recovery processes.
The U.S. House must address the flaws in FEMA’s response to prevent further delays and confusion in the recovery process for Western North Carolinians, and for survivors of any future disaster.
Rest assured, it is my top priority to continue to help WNC recover and receive the assistance our communities need.
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Congressman Edwards testifies at House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing about FEMA’s response to Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina
House Appropriations Committee Chairman views hurricane damage in WNC
Over the past few weeks, I’ve invited several legislators to visit our district to see the damage firsthand. I’ll need each of them to fully understand the breadth of what is needed for us to rebuild as I advocate for the necessary funding. This has been helpful in gathering support for supplemental disaster assistance to help our road to recovery.
Most recently, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole accepted my invitation and visited Western North Carolina to personally see the impact of Hurricane Helene in our mountains.
Swannanoa and Marshall are just two of our small towns with tremendous needs, and Chairman Cole’s visit was another important step toward securing funds that will help our communities rebuild.
Holding the National Institute of Health accountable
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Congressman Edwards questions witness on NIH’s failure to effectively monitor foreign grant recipients
Making commonsense reforms to U.S. tax code
This week, the U.S. House passed a commonsense bill to fix our tax code with my support.
The Stop Terror Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act would prevent the IRS from charging late fees to American citizens who are wrongfully detained abroad.
Americans who are wrongfully detained or held hostage are currently provided only one year of tax relief. While these individuals should be focusing on getting their lives back, instead they are being charged late fees by the federal government. This is a timely issue, with Americans still being held hostage by Hamas. The last thing these Americans and their families should have to worry about is settling an unpaid tax bill.
This legislation also revokes the tax-exempt status of U.S. non-profit organizations that provide financial or material support to terrorist groups like Hamas.
No organization that supports terrorism should benefit from the American tax code or receive a tax-exempt status.
Newly launched Supply Information Hub
My office has launched a Supply Information Hub on my website for folks affected by Hurricane Helene and those who want to help.
Multiple organizations have shared that they have an overflow of resources they want to reallocate, and other groups have voiced that they’re still in need of certain supplies.
To help consolidate efforts, my team is stepping in to help match supply requests with available resources.
If you have extra supplies or if you’re in need of a specific product, please fill out the form on my website at edwards.house.gov/hub, and my team will do our best to make sure that resources go where they are needed.
Do you need help with FEMA?
As Western North Carolina continues to pick up the pieces and rebuild after Hurricane Helene, I want to remind you that you can apply for FEMA financial assistance to help ease the financial burden of what you’ve lost.
If you’ve applied for FEMA relief and need assistance navigating the process, my Hendersonville office can engage with FEMA directly on your behalf and guide you on what documents are needed for your case.
Please call my phone line dedicated to FEMA casework at 223-FIX-FEMA.
Announcing Deputy Chief of Staff Jessie Frank
I’m excited to announce the promotion of Jessie Frank from executive assistant to deputy chief of staff.
Those who have worked with Jessie in her capacity as my executive assistant can attest to her
strong work ethic, steadfast loyalty to my office, and attention to detail. Since moving to DC, her leadership role has risen to new heights, and her contributions are widely recognized not only by our office, but by House Leadership, our committee staffs, and a multitude of other Member offices.
Jessie majored in political science at UNC Asheville, where she graduated summa cum laude. As a student athlete on the Bulldog swim team, she earned her college education through a swimming scholarship as a student athlete. She also served UNCA as editor-in-chief of Dignity, UNC Asheville’s undergraduate human rights journal.
Before joining our DC team, Jessie served as legislative assistant and committee clerk in the North Carolina State Senate and interned with the NC Republican Senate Caucus.
Her rich background of experiences also includes assistant swim coach, page to the Office of the Governor, intern at the lobbying firm of Smith Anderson Law, and page for the North Carolina House of Representatives.
Jessie’s promotion will provide her a path to further develop her leadership skills on Capitol Hill, and to contribute to our team’s success on a new level.
With my warmest regards,
Chuck Edwards
Member of Congress
