North Wake News

Governor Josh Stein has announced a request for $19 billion in federal funding to aid recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene's devastation in western North Carolina. The announcement came after a meeting with Senators Tillis and Budd, during which Governor Stein emphasized the need for substantial investment in the region's recovery.

In his statement, Governor Stein outlined the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Helene, stating: “Hurricane Helene destroyed so much across western North Carolina – lives, homes, businesses, farms, and infrastructure -- and our state is facing nearly $60 billion in damages." He highlighted that despite immediate responses from various sectors, additional assistance is crucial for restoring the affected areas.

Governor Stein stressed the importance of supporting home rebuilding efforts, restoring infrastructure, keeping businesses operational, strengthening local governments, and mitigating future natural disaster impacts. "That’s why I am requesting $19 billion in federal funds for Helene recovery," he said.

The governor also mentioned that the state has already allocated over $1 billion towards these efforts and is collaborating with the legislature to secure further resources. He expressed confidence that with ongoing support from both federal and state governments, "we will enable the people of western North Carolina to come back stronger than ever before."

Details regarding Governor Stein’s budget request are available online.