More than $451 million in recovery costs have been documented in North Carolina following Tropical Storm Helene, which struck Western North Carolina last fall. According to FEMA, 2,300 projects are in progress through its Public Assistance Program, which helps reimburse state and local governments for emergency response and infrastructure repairs.
The storm caused widespread damage to utilities, water systems, public bridges, and essential services. Since January 2025, FEMA has approved $135 million in grants for major recovery efforts.
Key grants awarded
- $33 million to the North Carolina Department of Transportation for emergency bridge replacements across 11 counties, including Buncombe, Burke, and Watauga.
- $8.7 million to French Broad Electric for emergency power restoration, covering damage to poles, transformers, and wires in six counties.
- $3.35 million to the North Carolina Highway Patrol for emergency operations like water rescues, evacuations, and barricade placement.
- $2.6 million to Spruce Pine for wastewater treatment plant repairs, and another $1.8 million for pedestrian bridge restoration in Riverside Park.
- $1.16 million to Burnsville for setting up a temporary raw water intake system.
- $1.63 million to Madison County for temporary building units used in emergency operations.
- $7.6 million to Rutherford County, $3.8 million to Cleveland County, and $2 million to Biltmore Forest, all for debris removal.
FEMA and state support
“These grants are critical to helping our communities rebuild and move forward,” said North Carolina Emergency Management Director Will Ray. “We recognize there’s a long road ahead, but we are committed to a whole-of-community approach to recovery.”
FEMA has been working with local governments since the disaster was federally declared in September 2024. As of April 2025, 373 projects have already been obligated for funding.
The North Carolina Emergency Management agency itself received $6.7 million for staffing and support services during the storm response.
Long-term outlook
While emergency operations have transitioned to long-term recovery, federal and state officials continue to assess and fund infrastructure repair, debris cleanup, and public safety improvements across the region.
For more information about FEMA’s Public Assistance Program, visit fema.gov.
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