North Carolina Facing Huge Bill After Hurricane Helene
After the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina, lawmakers in the state have passed nearly $900 million in aid spending for disaster relief. However, this amount falls short of the estimated $53 billion needed for recovery and rebuilding efforts.
The state legislators approved an additional $604 million in funding, on top of the $273 million previously allocated. Governor Roy Cooper has requested an initial $3.9 billion package to kickstart the rebuilding process, focusing on critical infrastructure, homes, businesses, farms, and schools damaged by the hurricane.
With Hurricane Helene being the deadliest and most damaging storm to hit North Carolina, the recovery efforts are estimated to be extensive. The storm caused 1,400 landslides, damaged water and sewer systems, roads, bridges, and thousands of homes. The damage report forecasts $48.8 billion in direct or indirect damages, with a large portion unrecoverable due to lack of insurance coverage.
The recovery programme includes funds for businesses, farmers, education, and housing assistance to aid the affected communities. Despite challenges, North Carolina is gearing up for a long and arduous recovery journey.