It’s hard to believe nearly a year has passed since Hurricane Helene struck our mountain communities. Over the last year, we have witnessed heartbreaking tragedy and loss, but we have also seen the very best of Western North Carolina. Neighbors, friends, and strangers came together in the face of devastation, offering shelter, food, and comfort, and proving the strength and resilience of our communities.
Delivering Disaster Relief for Western North Carolina
Over the last year, I have pushed FEMA to disperse disaster reimbursements to the folks impacted by Hurricane Helene as fast as possible. As of August, our office has successfully completed 600 FEMA cases resulting in more than $11.4 million for constituents.
Here are just a few recent success stories:
• One constituent received $55,166 from FEMA to repair damage to her private road and driveway.
• Another constituent received $51,084 to cover damage to her home and driveway.
• A third constituent received $55,418 to repair damage sustained to his home.
• Another constituent was awarded $60,434 to repair her home and car.
Each of these cases represents a family in our community getting much-needed relief. If you or someone you know needs assistance with FEMA, I am here to help. Please contact my team at 223-FIX-FEMA.
North Carolina has received $5.7 billion in disaster relief so far, but we still have work to do to fully rebuild. While progress has been made in releasing FEMA recovery funding to WNC, the pace simply hasn’t been fast enough. I’m petitioning FEMA daily to ensure families and businesses receive the relief they need without delay.
FEMA plays a critical role in disaster relief and recovery across the nation, but there is serious work to be done to make sure FEMA operates as efficiently and effectively as possible. That’s why I am co-sponsoring the FEMA Reform Act, the most significant reform of the agency in two decades. This legislation streamlines disaster response and recovery while making FEMA directly accountable to the President. This bill includes many provisions from legislation I previously led, including the Disaster Survivors Fairness Act, the Fair Disaster Assistance Act, the Promoting Resilient Buildings Act, and the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities for All Act.
Meeting with Governor Stein, Keeping the Government Funded
I hosted a meeting between Governor Stein and my bipartisan colleagues in the North Carolina delegation for a discussion on disaster relief and the Governor’s latest request for federal disaster relief funding. We spoke about the ongoing efforts to rebuild Western North Carolina, the importance of standing united in delivering relief as fast as possible, and our path forward.
With the possibility of a government shutdown looming, I urged my colleagues to work across party lines to ensure continued federal operations. Every vote I cast focuses on the needs of Western North Carolina. Our mountain communities need federal resources to continue rebuilding, and shutting down the government depletes critical funding streams, halts ongoing recovery projects, and delays necessary reimbursements. Included in the bill to fund the government is a $22.5 billion increase to FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund and keep our recovery projects in motion. This bill would take a giant leap towards fulfilling Governor Stein’s additional request, and I was proud to support it on the House floor.
