Today, Governor Roy Cooper held a briefing with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell to provide updates on North Carolina’s unprecedented response to Hurricane Helene. They were joined by Adjutant General of the North Carolina National Guard Major General Todd Hunt, North Carolina Director of Emergency Management Will Ray, NCDOT Secretary Joey Hopkins, NCDHHS Secretary Kody Kinsley and NCDEQ Secretary Mary Penny Kelley to share an update as response and recovery operations continue in Western North Carolina.
Press Releases
Today, Governor Roy Cooper traveled to Burnsville in Yancey County and Spruce Pine in Mitchell County and was joined by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, Federal Highway Administration Acting Administrator Kristin White and other state and federal officials to assess storm damage, thank volunteers and speak with people impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced Weatherby Healthcare, Inc. a medical staffing company, will add 155 jobs to Wake County. The company will invest more than $7.6 million to expand its operations in the City of Raleigh.“Weatherby has made a great decision to reinvest in North Carolina,” said Governor Cooper. “Wake County sits in the heart of our state and is the home of an international airport and a highly educated workforce, making it an ideal location for corporate businesses.”
Today, Governor Roy Cooper and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell met with U.S. Northern Command Commander General Gregory Guillot and Dual Status Commander Brigadier General Wes Morrison in Western North Carolina. More than 2,500 Soldiers and Airmen are now working in Western North Carolina with approximately 500 more on their way.
Air search and rescue teams flew 48 additional missions on Saturday, locating 39 survivors stranded in Western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene brought catastrophic flooding to the region. So far 6,586 people and counting have been rescued, evacuated or assisted by search and rescue teams since the storm hit.Almost 50 search and rescue teams have deployed more than 1,600 responders to the region over the past 10 days. Local and state emergency responders now have the assistance of approximately 1,700 North Carolina National Guard and 1,000 active-duty military personnel.
Governor Cooper Issues Executive Order to Increase Capacity of Healthcare to Respond to HeleneA vast array of relief resources continues to flow into Western North Carolina to assist in Hurricane Helene recovery.
Today, Governor Roy Cooper visited Haywood and Jackson counties to meet with people affected by the storm and thank emergency personnel and volunteers for their continued hard work.
Today, Governor Roy Cooper visited Ashe, Watauga, and Avery counties, meeting with community and business leaders to discuss relief and recovery efforts. Tomorrow, the Governor will be in Jackson and Haywood counties meeting with those affected by the storm and thanking emergency personnel and volunteers for their continued hard work. Relief and recovery operations continue in Western North Carolina as coordinated efforts bring supplies and resources into the region.
Today, President Biden approved Governor Cooper’s request for active-duty military personnel and equipment to support ongoing rescue, relief and recovery operations in Western North Carolina.
Today, Governor Roy Cooper and President Joe Biden took an aerial tour of areas damaged by Hurricane Helene before holding a briefing on storm impacts at the State Emergency Operations Center. During the briefing, President Biden announced the approval of 100% FEMA Reimbursement for six months, a significant funding commitment from the federal government.