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-Editorial
Following Hurricane Helene’s devastating impacts across the Southeast and Appalachian regions, the Biden-Harris Administration has implemented comprehensive federal efforts to aid communities in recovery and rebuilding efforts.
The storm significantly impacted North Carolina, where the administration is deploying resources to assist families, business owners, farmers, and others affected by the disaster. Federal disaster assistance for survivors has already exceeded $474 million, including over $86 million in housing aid and other forms of support in North Carolina. Survivors are encouraged to seek assistance through Disaster Recovery Centers in Caldwell, McDowell, and Buncombe Counties, online, or via FEMA’s helpline.
The Department of Defense is actively engaged in recovery operations, with 1,500 troops supporting search-and-rescue missions, route clearance, and the distribution of supplies. Over 2,000 personnel from the North Carolina National Guard and additional Guardsmen from 15 states are also on the ground. The Army Corps of Engineers is focusing on debris removal, emergency power installations, and infrastructure assessments.
As of early October, FEMA had deployed over 1,250 staff to North Carolina, with nearly 400 Urban Search and Rescue team members actively assisting in the field. These teams have rescued or provided support to more than 3,200 individuals. Restoration efforts have brought back power to approximately 96% of customers, with over 10,000 utility workers on the job. Cellular service is also being restored, with over 93% of sites back online. To improve communication among first responders, FEMA has distributed 40 Starlink units.
Efforts continue to support infrastructure recovery, with the U.S. Department of Transportation allocating $100 million in Quick Release Emergency Relief funds for immediate repairs. Additionally, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is working with local and state partners to restore air traffic and has facilitated drone deliveries of essential items to remote areas. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has played a crucial role in restoring water services, particularly in the Asheville area, and continues to conduct water testing and provide technical assistance.
Support for homeowners includes a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures for federally-backed mortgages, as well as a suspension of mortgage payments for eligible borrowers. HUD has also allocated $3 million to assist individuals experiencing homelessness in affected communities. The Internal Revenue Service has extended tax filing deadlines for those impacted, granting residents until May 2025 to complete their federal tax requirements.
Health and safety are priorities, with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declaring a Public Health Emergency. HHS personnel are deployed in North Carolina to provide medical care, including the establishment of Disaster Medical Assistance Teams and 24-hour support at local hospitals. Nearly 1,000 patients have been treated by these teams.
The Department of Labor, in conjunction with North Carolina, is providing federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance, and displaced workers can verify their identification through an innovative partnership with the U.S. Postal Service. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is also involved, in offering program flexibilities, coordinating debris removal, and ensuring food assistance reaches those in need.
The Department of Education is providing support to local educational agencies and institutions affected by the disaster, offering flexibility in managing federal student aid programs. Borrowers impacted by the hurricane can receive natural disaster forbearance, postponing loan payments without facing penalties.
Finally, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) continues to survey river levels and assess flooding, while a landslide response team works to map and evaluate landslide risks across the region.
