Topics Related to Disaster Recovery
Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced over $14 million has been donated to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund since Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina earlier this fall. Help has poured into the state from across the country and around the world, including in the form of monetary donations to the relief fund that are already supporting nonprofits working to meet the immediate needs of storm victims.
Today, Governor Roy Cooper attended a meeting for western local governments hosted by the North Carolina League of Municipalities and North Carolina Association of County Commissioners focused on discussing urgent needs to support ongoing recovery and rebuilding in the wake of Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina.
Last week, Governor Roy Cooper issued an Executive Order directing donations of state surplus goods to Western North Carolina to help counties impacted by Hurricane Helene.“Hurricane Helene caused immense damage to property owned by state and local governments, schools and nonprofits,” said Governor Cooper. “This Executive Order helps get them replacement property quickly and efficiently so they can continue with their missions.”
Today, Governor Roy Cooper traveled to Grandfather Mountain and Grandfather Mountain State Park in Avery County to highlight the importance of supporting Western North Carolina’s tourism industry in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
Officials from Taiwan today visited North Carolina to present a donation of $300,000 to help with recovery from Hurricane Helene. The generous donation will go to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund, established by Governor Roy Cooper to encourage donations to help communities recover from unprecedented damage caused by Helene.
Today, Governor Cooper visited Green River Cove in Polk County to assess storm damage to the Green River and surrounding areas, meet with local officials and speak with those impacted by the storm. In the afternoon, the Governor joined First Lady of the United States Jill Biden at a World Central Kitchen site in Asheville where they packed and served food and thanked volunteers. This morning, the Governor signed Senate Bill 743 into law, which allocates more than $600 million in Helene disaster relief and recovery funds.
Yesterday, Governor Roy Cooper issued an Executive Order focused on easing requirements and fee collections for North Carolinians related to the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in counties impacted by Hurricane Helene. As a result of this Order, the DMV will suspend the collection of various application and late fees, suspend certain requirements for both residents and businesses, and extend certain licenses for mechanics and businesses.
Less than a month after Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina, Governor Roy Cooper today shared a state budget recommendation to help rebuild stronger to withstand future storms. Governor Cooper recommends an initial $3.9 billion package to begin rebuilding critical infrastructure, homes, businesses, schools, and farms damaged during the storm.
As relief efforts continue in Western North Carolina, Governor Cooper is encouraging Western North Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene to enroll in Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) this week by the Thursday deadline.
Today, Governor Roy Cooper traveled to Buncombe County with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and visited a Community Care Station to speak with volunteers and give an update on relief efforts in Western North Carolina. The Community Care Station offers food and water distribution, basic hygiene services and medical care to the community.