Press Releases

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.

Today, Governor Roy Cooper traveled to Western North Carolina where he was joined by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, NCDPS Secretary Eddie Buffaloe and NCDOT Chief Operating Officer Chris Peoples to assess storm damage and ongoing response efforts to Hurricane Helene.

Search and rescue efforts continue in Western North Carolina amidst simultaneous coordinated efforts to restore critical infrastructure and bring much needed food, water and other necessities to communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced Johnson & Johnson (J&J), a world-leading healthcare company, will create 420 jobs in Wilson County. The company says it will invest more than $2 billion in a new pharmaceutical manufacturing campus for innovative biologics in the City of Wilson.

Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced the appointment of Jamie Adams as District Attorney to replace retiring District Attorney Reece Saunders in Prosecutorial District 21, serving Anson, Richmond and Scotland counties.“Jamie is an experienced prosecutor and is prepared to step into her new role,” said Governor Cooper. “She will serve the people of this district with distinction and I am grateful for her service to her community.”

State, federal and local partners continue to work together to surge resources into Western North Carolina in response to unprecedented damage from Hurricane Helene across the region. Operations are in progress to provide food, water and critical supplies to affected areas. Progress is also being made to improve access and telecommunications in communities damaged by the storm. While the focus remains on emergency response and rescue, the state is simultaneously stepping up recovery services in collaboration with federal and local partners across North Carolina.