North Wake News

Governor Josh Stein visited Yancey County to meet with residents affected by Hurricane Helene. Accompanied by Yancey County Sheriff Shane Hilliard, Governor Stein engaged with local officials and community members in Burnsville. He also expressed gratitude to local firefighters for their efforts as first responders.

“Yancey County residents are supporting each other in inspiring ways,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Just as they are working together to recover, so must we help them rebuild schools, small businesses, and critical infrastructure. I am grateful for the General Assembly’s ongoing work to get dollars to impacted areas, while I continue to push them and Congress to allocate meaningful resources to ensure western North Carolina is not forgotten.”

During his visit, Governor Stein assessed the damage caused by flooding from the South Toe River and visited the South Toe Fire Department to commend their emergency response.

Since assuming office, Governor Stein has emphasized providing aid swiftly and effectively. Last month, he requested an additional $19 billion in federal funds aimed at restoring infrastructure, supporting home repairs and renovations, and mitigating future natural disaster impacts.

Governor Stein continues collaborating with the legislature on securing state funding for immediate needs following Hurricane Helene's aftermath. This includes his request for $1.07 billion.

Additionally, this week saw the launch of a recovery dashboard by the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina. The platform offers updates, resources, and information on progress related to recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene.