ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Gov. Josh Stein traveled to Washington, D.C., on Wednesday with local officials from five Western North Carolina counties to push for billions in additional federal recovery money following Tropical Storm Helene.
Stein met with members of the Trump administration and nearly a dozen lawmakers from North Carolina’s congressional delegation to advocate for $13.5 billion in new aid. The request would help repair homes, boost small businesses, rebuild infrastructure and support local governments still struggling nearly a year after the deadly storm.
“It’s been nearly a year since Hurricane Helene, and while we are grateful for every dollar of federal support we have received, we need more,” Stein said in a statement.
The governor’s proposal includes:
- $8 billion for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in disaster recovery block grants.
- $400 million in forgivable loans through the Small Business Administration.
- $1.6 billion for the U.S. Department of Transportation to restore roads and infrastructure, including Interstate 40.
- Nearly $2 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, primarily for disaster loans to help local governments maintain essential services.
CLICK HERE TO READ STEIN’S FULL BUDGET REQUEST
Stein is also asking federal agencies to release funds already appropriated through the American Relief Act of 2025. Combined with his new request, the governor is seeking nearly $23 billion in total aid.
So far, federal support amounts to about 9 percent of the storm’s estimated damage, according to state officials. By comparison, recovery costs from hurricanes Katrina, Maria and Sandy were covered by more than 70 percent federal funding. Stein’s full proposal would raise North Carolina’s recovery share to 47 percent.
