Without a single no vote, North Carolina’s state House passed the legislature’s fifth Tropical Storm Helene recovery package Thursday afternoon.
If approved by the state Senate and signed by Gov. Josh Stein, the package would add more than $565 million to the Helene Fund and appropriate $464 million of it for Western North Carolina needs.
Thus far, the state has dedicated more than $1.4 billion to Helene recovery in its four previous relief packages. The Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 – Part 2, would bring that contribution to nearly $2 billion.
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Republicans and Democrats alike expressed gratitude for the bill’s appropriations during floor debate Thursday.
State Rep. Karl Gillespie, R-Macon, who represents four Western North Carolina counties, said legislators and staff worked from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. in recent weeks to get the bill done before the Memorial Day extended break.
They listened to local governments, nonprofits and citizens about what they needed most, and revisited past funding to see whether it was being used as intended. Through that process alone, legislators found $65 million to reallocate, he said. The rest of the funds come from $500 million previously allocated to NCInnovation.
“It’s a great day for North Carolina, but it’s an especially great day for Western North Carolina,” Gillespie said.
What’s in the bill
The latest recovery package covers a broad swath of needs, but the largest allotment goes to North Carolina Emergency Management.
Under the bill, NCEM would get $70 million for state matches for federal disaster assistance programs, $30 million to repair private roads and bridges, $25 million to restore airport infrastructure, $20 million for flood mitigation and $20 million for volunteer organization grants.
Unlike previous private road and bridge funding, this funding allows the state to reimburse North Carolinians who couldn’t wait and went ahead and fixed their private roads and bridges out of their own pockets.
The bill dedicates $50 million for a local government grant program to replace damaged infrastructure and $5 million to regional groups to help local governments apply for federal assistance.
Rep. Lindsay Prather, D-Buncombe, said while she appreciates this help, she would ask for even more direct assistance to local governments who are facing budget shortfalls.
“Local governments in Western North Carolina are making the decision today on whether they’re going to have to fire people who just went through the state’s worst natural disaster, or they’re going to have to raise property taxes on people who just went through the state’s worst natural disaster,” she said.
Another $25 million will go to a farm infrastructure recovery grant program.
Rep. Eric Ager, D-Buncombe, said he was particularly excited about this provision. People lost barns, fields and the bridges and roads to get to them, he said.
He also praised the inclusion of $60 million for a small-business grant program to make up for some revenue loss during the 2024 tourism season. Few people visited from October to December, the months that typically keep Western North Carolina businesses afloat in January, February and March, Ager said.
“Those business grants tailored to help make up that revenue are going to have a huge impact and are going to keep businesses rolling and really help our economy to not fall off a cliff,” he said.
Seven months after Helene hit, debris removal is still an issue, particularly around streams. The relief package works to address that with $15 million for streamflow rehabilitation and another $15 million for unmet debris and sedimentation removal needs.
State parks will get $7.5 million for cleanup while local parks, libraries and museums get $5 million.
“Even months later, on our roadsides, we are still littered with the remains of fallen trees, damaged structures and storm waste,” Rep. Jennifer Balkcom, R-Henderson, said. “Getting that cleaned up isn’t just about appearance, it’s about safety and moving forward.”
Other recovery money goes to public schools, colleges and universities for damaged infrastructure, preserving rental units in the region, railroad repairs and fire departments for new equipment.
Finally, the bill would create a disaster recovery constituent portal, a one-stop shop for recovery needs.
“If you’ve lost your home, and you’ve lost everything, you don’t know where to turn, you’re truly just kind of out on an island,” said Rep. Jake Johnson, R-Polk. “Now you have one place you can go.”
Rep. Mark Pless, R-Haywood, who also represents Madison and Yancey counties, is most passionate about the bill’s focus on resilience — not only restoring what was lost, but making infrastructure and the community stronger.
Nobody can stop the weather, he said, but North Carolinians can reduce the destruction.
“This is not the last time Western North Carolina is going to see some water,” he said. “So hopefully we’re going to learn from it and move forward.”
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