Governor Stein Seeks Additional Federal Funding For Hurricane Helene Recovery

RALEIGH, N.C. — Governor Josh Stein traveled to Washington, D.C. on Wednesday to meet with members of North Carolina’s congressional delegation and discuss additional federal funding for Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in western North Carolina.

Stein was joined by State Senator Kevin Corbin during the meetings, where they outlined the state’s updated request for more than $10 billion in federal assistance to support ongoing recovery and rebuilding efforts.

The governor’s June 2026 funding request includes:

• $3.07 billion for housing recovery and rebuilding damaged homes
• $1.03 billion for water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure projects
• $3.05 billion for local infrastructure repairs, including dams and municipal roads
• $1.56 billion for economic recovery initiatives
• $300 million for restoration of private roads and bridges
• $560 million for federal highway repairs
• $600 million to support local governments and communities

According to state officials, the revised request is approximately $3 billion less than an earlier proposal, reflecting federal and state funds already awarded as well as updated damage estimates. While the overall request has decreased, funding needs for housing and water infrastructure have increased due to ongoing unmet needs and continued recovery efforts.

State officials estimate Hurricane Helene caused nearly $60 billion in damage across western North Carolina.

North Carolina has committed approximately $2.4 billion in direct state appropriations toward recovery efforts, including $395 million designated to match federal funding. State agencies have also redirected more than $2 billion toward recovery projects, much of it in anticipation of federal reimbursement.

Additional recovery funding has come from private insurance payments, which total about $5 billion, and nonprofit and philanthropic contributions estimated at more than $1.4 billion. As of May 15, the federal government had awarded approximately $8.3 billion for recovery efforts, according to state figures.

State officials reported that North Carolina’s federally funded housing recovery program was launched more quickly than comparable programs established after major hurricanes during the past decade. Recovery efforts have repaired or rebuilt more than 1,000 homes, while another 2,800 homes remain in the RenewNC program pipeline.

The state has also distributed funding for 127 water and sewer infrastructure projects totaling $645 million through the Environmental Protection Agency’s State Revolving Fund allocation for Hurricane Helene recovery.

Since taking office, Stein has made multiple trips to Washington to discuss recovery needs with federal officials and members of Congress. In January, he met with acting FEMA Administrator Karen Evans regarding Hazard Mitigation Grant Program applications and future recovery efforts. In February, Stein met with President Donald Trump at the White House and discussed additional federal support for western North Carolina. In March, he unveiled a state-level Hurricane Helene recovery budget proposal focused on housing, infrastructure, economic development, forest restoration, and leveraging federal funding opportunities.

Congress has not yet acted on the state’s latest funding request.