The Biden-Harris Administration has announced nearly $2 billion in federal assistance to aid recovery efforts in North Carolina after Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
According to FEMA, this includes over $1.2 billion for individual and community assistance and $746 million for debris removal and public health measures.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell has announced the creation of a new Community Liaison program to help communities engage in the recovery process.
As reported by FEMA, Administrator Criswell emphasized the importance of local involvement in the recovery efforts: “I have learned from past recoveries across the nation and know that they work best when the community doesn’t just have a seat at the table, but they have a leading role in the recovery process.”
FEMA has already provided over $1.2 billion in direct aid to impacted communities, with a significant portion allocated to individual assistance.
This includes over $130 million in housing and related support for more than 89,500 households.
Efforts are ongoing as the agency works closely with state and local governments to assess damages and ensure that those affected by the disaster can access the resources they need.
More than 8,400 families have been provided temporary housing through FEMA’s shelter program, while over 470 people remain in shelters across 11 locations.
Additionally, FEMA has delivered over 12.6 million meals and 13.2 million liters of water to the affected regions.
FEMA has deployed over 4,900 personnel to the disaster-stricken areas, joining over 7,000 federal responders working to aid state and local authorities.
These personnel are involved in damage assessments, coordinating response activities, and assisting residents with disaster recovery applications.
FEMA’s response also includes significant mission assignments for Urban Search and Rescue teams and the Army Corps of Engineers, who are working on debris removal and infrastructure recovery.
As part of its commitment to supporting the recovery, FEMA has opened 14 Disaster Recovery Centers in North Carolina, including in Asheville, Boone, and Waynesville, among others.
These centers offer survivors the opportunity to meet with FEMA and state representatives in person for assistance with their recovery efforts.
Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams are also operating in the state, with over 420 members helping survivors navigate the disaster aid process and connect with additional resources.
To locate a center, residents can visit FEMA.gov/DRC.
The Biden-Harris Administration has provided nearly $2 billion in federal aid to assist North Carolina’s recovery following Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
FEMA has introduced a new Community Liaison program to support local involvement in recovery efforts.
Over $1.2 billion has already been allocated for individual and community support, including $130 million for housing aid.
More than 4,900 FEMA personnel are deployed to the state, joining over 7,000 responders in recovery efforts.
Fourteen Disaster Recovery Centers have been opened, and over 420 Disaster Survivor Assistance members are helping residents access resources and apply for aid.
