South Raleigh News

President Biden has approved Governor Roy Cooper’s request for a Federal Major Disaster Declaration for Tropical Storm Helene. This decision will provide immediate federal assistance to 25 North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

The declaration allows FEMA to expedite additional support to the state, offering Individual Assistance to residents in the affected counties and Public Assistance to reimburse local governments, state agencies, and eligible organizations for funds spent on repairing facilities and infrastructure.

“The people in western North Carolina are hurting from this devastating storm and we are all working to get resources to people as fast as we can,” said Governor Cooper. “We have deployed rescue teams, transportation crews, water, mobile kitchens and more. This is going to be a long-term recovery and this federal declaration will help us respond.”

The counties included in the declaration are Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherfordton Transylvania Watauga Wilkes Yancey Counties as well as the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. As response operations continue and eligible damages are assessed further counties or programs may be added. The declaration also provides Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding for future efforts to reduce the impact of future events.

This declaration follows an earlier federal emergency declaration issued before Tropical Storm Helene made landfall.

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