North Carolina legislators unanimously approve a $273 million relief package for Hurricane Helene recovery, addressing immediate needs while acknowledging the long road ahead.
At a Glance
- $273 million relief package passed with bipartisan support for Hurricane Helene recovery
- $250 million allocated for state agencies to match federal disaster assistance
- Bill includes provisions for school employees, election flexibility, and business support
- Legislators emphasize this is just the first step in a multi-year recovery process
Bipartisan Support for Comprehensive Relief
In a display of unity, North Carolina lawmakers have swiftly passed a $273 million relief package to address the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The bill, which received unanimous support in both the House and Senate, aims to provide immediate assistance to hard-hit counties and lay the groundwork for long-term recovery efforts.
The Disaster Recovery Act of 2024 allocates $250 million for state agencies to match federal disaster assistance, ensuring a coordinated and well-funded response to the hurricane’s destruction. This substantial commitment underscores the state’s determination to rebuild and support affected communities.
Education and Election Provisions
Recognizing the widespread impact of Hurricane Helene, the relief package includes $16 million for the Department of Public Instruction. These funds will compensate school nutrition employees and provide much-needed flexibility for school calendars in affected areas. This measure ensures that public school teachers and cafeteria workers impacted by the storm will continue to receive their pay, maintaining stability for education professionals during this challenging time.
“I appreciate the efforts of the legislature today to pass a bill to aid these communities,” Cooper said at a Helene recovery briefing at the state Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh.
In addition to educational support, the bill addresses the upcoming general election. Election rule alterations have been expanded to include 25 counties, allowing for greater flexibility in absentee voting. To ensure fair and accessible voting in hurricane-affected areas, $5 million has been set aside for voter outreach and education. This funding will support technology, printing, temporary staff, and mobile voting units for the 2024 general election.
Supporting Businesses and Infrastructure
The relief package also provides crucial support for the business community, with $2 million allocated for technical assistance grants. In a move to promote economic equity, emergency business loans will be prioritized for historically underutilized small businesses, ensuring that all sectors of the economy have the opportunity to recover and thrive.
“Recovering from Hurricane Helene will be no small task, but I believe we, the state and people of North Carolina, are up to that task,” Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, said during a press conference introducing the bill. “Today, we’re convening for the first Hurricane Helene disaster recovery package — this is just a first step for us to take as legislators.”
Infrastructure concerns are also addressed in the bill, with provisions for drinking water, wastewater treatment, and debris management in impacted counties. To expedite recovery efforts, certain highway repair requirements have been waived, and fees for replacing lost identification documents have been suspended in affected areas.
Long-Term Recovery and Future Steps
While this relief package marks a significant first step in North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Helene, legislators and officials alike emphasize that it is just the beginning of a long-term process. The governor’s state of emergency for Helene has been extended until March 1, 2025, indicating the anticipated duration of recovery efforts.
“The recovery that is going to have to be done is going to be something that is a Herculean task, but it is something that we will get done,” House Speaker Tim Moore said.
The Disaster Recovery Act of 2024 demonstrates North Carolina’s commitment to rebuilding and supporting its communities in the wake of Hurricane Helene. As the state moves forward with implementation, ongoing assessments and additional legislative actions are expected to address the evolving needs of affected regions and ensure a comprehensive, long-term recovery for all North Carolinians.
Sources:
- https://apnews.com/article/north-carolina-hurricane-helene-legislators-relief-708b4b0cc8a618b5fc9f15f753f46c82
- https://www.ednc.org/10-09-2024-general-assembly-passes-273-million-helene-relief-bill-includes-school-employee-pay-and-calendar-flexibility/
- https://www.fema.gov/disaster/current/hurricane-helene/rumor-response
- https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/north-carolina/articles/2024-10-09/north-carolina-lawmakers-pass-273m-helene-relief-bill-with-voting-changes-to-more-counties
- https://www.wcnc.com/article/weather/hurricane/helene/roy-cooper-thom-tillis-chuck-edwards-hurricane-helene-storm-damage-recovery-asheville-north-carolina/275-5dcae01c-c1d1-4e70-b86f-8c3f6f52a8b0
- https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/north-carolina-lawmakers-pass-273m-helene-relief-bill-114654872
- https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article293667724.html
- https://www.ncdoi.gov/hurricane-helene-response-and-recovery
- https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article293739619.html
- https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/north-carolina-lawmakers-approve-273-million-initial-hurricane-helene-recovery