Federal grants to fund flood mitigation, infrastructure repairs after Hurricane Helene

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WWAY) — The Department of Homeland Security Secretary announced Wednesday multiple grants for Hurricane Helene recovery projects in Western North Carolina.

The western part of the state with get more than $72 million in Public Assistance grant program reimbursements and $44.6 million in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds.

The Department of Homeland Security announced that moving forward Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds will help places moving forward avoid the risks of a flood. In Buncombe County, about $14.2 million will go towards acquiring flood-prone properties. About $9.2 million will do the same in Henderson County. In Beaufort County, about $2.5 million will be used to elevate homes.

The Public Assistance grant program will be used across the western part of North Carolina, and the Department of Homeland Security says these are some of the notable improvements.

• $34.7 million to NCDOT for road and bridge repairs across more than 300 sites in Allegany, Ashe, Buncombe, Caldwell, Henderson, Mitchell, Surry, and Watauga counties.
• $17.6 million for the removal of nearly 700,000 cubic yards and 75,000 trees and limbs from public rights of way and operation of four debris reduction sites in Rutherford County
• $10.5 million to 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 Beech Mountain for repairs to the town’s sewer system and wastewater treatment plant

Senator Ted Budd released the following statement:

“Ever since Hurricane Helene devastated the lives of more than half a million North Carolinians, I have been working non-stop to obtain approval for federal relief necessary to rebuild Western North Carolina. In recent months, I’ve engaged extensively with the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA regarding applications under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. I am glad that today, in addition to another tranche of public assistance funding totaling over $72 million, Secretary Noem has approved $44.6 million in grants for projects under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. While this is another promising step in the right direction, there are still families awaiting buyouts for their damaged and destroyed properties. As I have with the public assistance program, I pledge that I will continue to work closely with all federal, state, and local leaders to continue to identify projects that qualify for federal reimbursement, and I will be in constant contact with FEMA to get these dollars to Western North Carolina communities.”