NC allocates $524 million more in Hurricane Helene relief
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North Carolina's leaders passed into law the state's fourth batch of Hurricane Helene relief funding Wednesday, ending months of anticipation for the next round of funding for the state's mountain region.
Why it matters: The latest funding package brings the state's total Helene recovery allocations to $1.4 billion, per the House Speaker's office, just a fraction of the estimated $60 billion in damages the storm left behind in western North Carolina some six months ago.
Driving the news: The state House and Senate compromised this week on a package totaling $524 million for Helene recovery after working through disagreements on how much to allocate and to what programs.
- The legislation also includes $217 million to finish rebuilding eastern North Carolina homes ravaged by hurricanes Matthew and Florence and $110 million in relief for farmers statewide.
- The House overwhelmingly approved the measure Tuesday, and the state Senate did the same Wednesday, sending the legislation to the governor's desk. Democratic Gov. Josh Stein signed the legislation Wednesday evening, mere hours after the Senate passed the bill.
The big picture: The Republican-led state legislature and Stein appear to be in lock step in prioritizing Helene recovery above all else.
- Though the legislature's latest allocation to aid comes in far below Stein's requested $1 billion for immediate relief efforts, he was eager to sign the legislation. In his first state of the state address last week, he urged lawmakers to find a compromise and pass the bill.
- "I am ready to sign it!" he said in the address.
Zoom out: The federal government had allocated some $3.1 billion as of last month, according to the state's Office of State Budget and Management.
- Stein has requested an additional $19 billion in federal assistance.
By the numbers: The Legislature's latest Helene relief bill also includes:
- $200 million for Helene-related crop loss
- $120 million for home repairs and rebuilding
- $100 million for private road repairs and replacements.