ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Federal officials have approved an additional $96 million to help North Carolina recover from damage caused by Tropical Storm Helene, funding more than 200 projects to repair roads, restore infrastructure and clear debris.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Thursday that the money was obligated in August through its Public Assistance Program, which reimburses state and local governments for response and recovery costs at no less than a 90 percent federal share.
Among the largest grants:
- $65.2 million to the North Carolina Department of Transportation for road repairs in Buncombe, McDowell, Mitchell, Wilkes and Yancey counties.
- $5.9 million to the Department of Cultural Resources for repairs to Chimney Rock State Park’s roads, bridge and café.
- $5.8 million to the town of Beech Mountain for road repairs.
- $2.4 million to the EnergyUnited Electric Membership Corporation for emergency power system protection and repair.
- $1.5 million to Asheville Christian Academy for flood remediation at three school buildings.
- $1.4 million to Old Fort for permanent repairs to public facilities.
- $1 million to Haywood County for debris removal between October 2024 and March 2025.
Since Helene struck, FEMA has obligated more than $627 million to North Carolina, including $322 million in reimbursements since January alone, the agency said.
