As western North Carolina marks one year since Hurricane Helene, Governor Josh Stein has provided an update on the region’s recovery efforts, focusing on the repair of roads and other key infrastructure.
“As we approach the one-year milestone of Hurricane Helene, North Carolina’s whole-of-government approach has made encouraging progress to repair roads and other critical infrastructure,” said Governor Josh Stein. “I am grateful to our state’s public servants and partners for their work to strengthen and build resilient infrastructure that helps western North Carolinians travel freely throughout the region.”
According to state data, 96% of water systems are now back online, 97% of state-maintained roads have reopened, and all impacted state parks are at least partially open.
Local governments in western North Carolina can apply for the Small Business Infrastructure Grant Program. This initiative aims to help communities restore essential services like electricity, stormwater systems, sidewalks, and broadband that support small businesses. In July, Governor Stein visited Clyde—one of the first towns to receive such a grant—and met with local business owners.
The Helene Local Government Capital Grant program was launched by Governor Stein and the Office of State Budget and Management. It is designed for local governments and federally recognized tribes needing capital improvements due to Hurricane Helene. Eligible projects must be located in FEMA-designated disaster areas for Hurricane Helene and must have been denied FEMA Public Assistance reimbursement. The size of each grant will depend on statutory caps per recipient and county. More information about eligibility and applications is available at Helene Recovery Local Government Capital Grants.
On March 1, two lanes of Interstate 40 were reopened by the North Carolina Department of Transportation along the Pigeon River Gorge. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy joined Governor Stein in surveying this section.
In August, a $5 million investment was announced by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality in partnership with regional organizations for permanent and mobile microgrids in western North Carolina. These microgrids are intended to provide backup power during future disasters when traditional power sources fail.
The Private Roads and Bridges Program has assessed more than 6,500 sites submitted after Hurricane Helene damaged many privately owned access routes vital for emergency vehicles, mail delivery, school buses, and residents’ daily needs. Of these sites, over 3,700 have been verified by the NC Division of Emergency Management. More than $26 million from FEMA has been allocated for repairs or replacements through various assistance programs; an additional $10 million from state funds supports volunteer bridge-building efforts under Governor Stein’s direction.
Governor Stein visited a reconstructed private bridge belonging to the Thomas family in Yancey County earlier this summer as part of this program’s progress updates. He also encouraged residents who paid out-of-pocket for private road or bridge repairs after Helene to apply online through ncdps.gov/Helene/PRB for up to 50 percent reimbursement if they reside in disaster-declared counties.
Statewide debris removal efforts have cleared approximately 15 million cubic yards from roadsides, waterways, and properties since last year’s hurricane event. Last week saw participation from Governor Stein, First Lady Kristin Cooper, cabinet members, and nonprofit Mountain True volunteers cleaning up Sweeten Creek.
Five counties in western North Carolina will receive over $86 million as part of a federal program supporting drinking water and wastewater infrastructure upgrades—a first phase within a larger four-phase plan totaling $686 million in awards administered through collaboration between state agencies and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The National Park Service recently reopened a stretch of Blue Ridge Parkway between Asheville and Mount Mitchell State Park; all thirteen state parks previously closed due to Hurricane Helene are now at least partially accessible again. Earlier milestones included reopening ceremonies at Chimney Rock State Park (June) and Paddy Mountain Park (May).
Additionally, $11 million was awarded this summer by the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources through the Great Trails State Program to assist trail development projects across communities in western North Carolina.
