Edwards Announces $116 Million in New FEMA Funding for WNC

January 14, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11) announced that North Carolina will receive an additional $72 million in FEMA Public Assistance (PA) funding and $44.6 million through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) to support Western North Carolina’s ongoing recovery following Hurricane Helene.

Public Assistance funding helps repair and replace damaged public infrastructure, including roads, bridges, water and sewer systems, schools, and public safety facilities. These funds allow communities to restore essential services, reopen public facilities, and accelerate recovery efforts without diverting limited local resources.

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding supports long-term projects designed to reduce future disaster damage. These investments help communities strengthen infrastructure, protect critical facilities, and reduce the risk of repeat losses during future storms, saving taxpayer dollars and improving resilience across the region.

Notable FEMA Public Assistance grants obligated include:

$34.7 million to the North Carolina Department of Transportation for road and bridge repairs across more than 300 sites in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Caldwell, Henderson, Mitchell, Surry and Watauga counties.
$17.6 million to Rutherford County for the removal of nearly 700,000 cubic yards of debris and 75,000 trees and limbs from public rights of way, and the operation of four debris reduction sites.
$10.5 million to the City of Asheville for potable water distribution, the repair or replacement of more than 100 fleet vehicles, DeBruhl Water Treatment Plant repairs, and road repairs.
$3.7 million to the Town of Beech Mountain for repairs to the town’s sewer system and wastewater treatment plant.

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program investments include projects to:

Acquire flood-prone properties in Buncombe County, approximately $14.2 million.
Acquire flood-prone properties in Henderson County, approximately $9.2 million.

“We still have far to go, but today’s tranche of released funds helps us take yet another giant step forward. When Hurricane Helene struck, it caused widespread damage to the infrastructure our communities rely on every day,” said Congressman Edwards. “Public Assistance funding helps restore essential services and get communities back up and running, while Hazard Mitigation funding ensures we rebuild smarter and stronger.”

For more information on FEMA recovery programs, click here: Secretary Noem Announces Additional $116 Million for North Carolina

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