Edwards Announces Helene Recovery Funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11) announced the release of $165.9 million in FEMA reimbursement funds to support North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Helene and COVID-19 emergency measures. Funding secured for North Carolina’s 11th District includes the following projects: 

• $1,135,211 to Henderson County Hospital Corporation for emergency protective measures at Pardee Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• $1,916,520 toMadison County to reimburse emergency response efforts, including shelters, infrastructure repairs, and essential services during Hurricane Helene.
• $5,326,298 to Buncombe County to cover repairs to the county’s sewage system and other emergency protective measures following Hurricane Helene.
• $1,239,259 to the Town of Old Fort to restore damage to the Westerman Street Water Line caused by Hurricane Helene.
• $20,358,749 to the North Carolina Department of Transportation for road and highway repairs in Buncombe, Mitchell, and Avery Counties resulting from Hurricane Helene.
• $4,607,775 to the North Carolina Department of Transportation for road repairs to Pearson Falls Road in Polk County.
• $13,275,253 to Mitchell County for debris removal following Hurricane Helene.
• $5,600,601 to the City of Asheville to repair the North Fork Water Treatment Plant after Hurricane Helene.

In coordination with the North Carolina delegation, Congressman Edwards engaged directly with White House officials, FEMA, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, urging senior federal leaders to expedite FEMA’s reimbursement process and prioritize Western North Carolina’s recovery.

Additionally, Congressman Edwards met with Director Russ Vought at the Office of Management and Budget to ensure that Public Assistance reimbursements are promptly released.

These efforts were instrumental in advancing the release of these dollars and ensuring they are delivered back to Western North Carolina’s families, small businesses, and communities. 

“When Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina, our communities didn’t hesitate — they stepped up immediately to protect lives, clear debris, and restore essential services,”said Congressman Edwards. “But FEMA’s bureaucracy slowed parts of that recovery. I worked with federal and state leaders to cut through the red tape and make sure these reimbursement funds are delivered to the people back home who have already shouldered the cost.”
 

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