Today marks six months since Hurricane Helene swept through western North Carolina, leaving a significant impact on the region. Governor Josh Stein visited the area to honor the 106 lives lost and pledged to continue supporting the recovery process.
“Six months ago today, Hurricane Helene swept through western North Carolina and forever changed our state,” Governor Stein said. “106 lives were tragically lost in the wake of Hurricane Helene, and their families and communities will forever grieve their absence. Today, we honor their legacies and recommit to supporting our neighbors every step of the way as they work to rebuild western North Carolina.”
During his visit, Governor Stein met with families who lost loved ones and visited the Fairview Fire Department, where he remembered Tony Garrison, a volunteer battalion chief, and Brandon Ruppe, his nephew. Both died in a mudslide rescue attempt. Stein expressed gratitude to firefighters and first responders and committed to continuing advocacy efforts for the area. He also signed a proclamation to honor the lives lost and commemorate the six-month anniversary of the hurricane.
Governor Stein has been active in the region’s recovery efforts. He recently submitted a finalized Action Plan to distribute $1.4 billion from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, marking one of the quickest submissions following a major hurricane in the last decade. Additionally, he signed the Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 – Part 1, which allocates $524 million in aid for western North Carolina, including funding for home reconstruction, infrastructure grants, road and bridge repairs, and debris cleanup.
The governor is also advocating for $19 billion in federal funds for infrastructure restoration, home repair, and measures to prevent future disasters. FEMA has granted his requests for 30-day extensions to the Public Assistance and Individual Assistance programs. Progress can be tracked via the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina’s recovery dashboard.
