Governor Josh Stein has addressed the recent announcement by FEMA regarding the cessation of direct federal assistance for the US Army Corps of Engineers. In a statement, he acknowledged the efforts made by both FEMA and the Army Corps in debris removal across western North Carolina.
“I want to thank FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers for its hard work to clear debris all over western North Carolina,” said Governor Stein. He expressed satisfaction that these entities will continue their operations in North Carolina to complete ongoing missions, emphasizing cooperation with his team to expedite these efforts. To date, more than 12 million cubic yards of debris have been cleared from roads and waterways.
Despite this progress, significant work remains. Governor Stein highlighted that the state’s debris removal program is ready to handle the remaining tasks with urgency. “Our state’s debris removal program is prepared to contract and execute the remaining debris removal and will work diligently and with urgency to complete those jobs as soon as possible,” he stated.
Additionally, Governor Stein reiterated a request directed at President Trump for full FEMA reimbursement, describing it as essential for successful recovery in North Carolina. “We continue to ask President Trump to respond favorably to the state’s appeal for 100% FEMA reimbursement,” he added. Without this support, North Carolina taxpayers may face substantial costs related to further debris removal.
