Biden-Harris administration approves $100M in emergency funding to help North Carolina rebuild roads and bridges

Vice President Kamala Harris visited the state over the weekend, promising continued federal support for recovery efforts, such as providing survivors with $750 in immediate emergency financial assistance. 

The Biden-Harris administration approved $100 million in emergency funds on Saturday for North Carolina to help the state more quickly rebuild roads and bridges damaged by Hurricane Helene.

“We are providing this initial round of funding so there’s no delay getting roads repaired and reopened, and re-establishing critical routes,” US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. “The Biden-Harris administration will be with North Carolina every step of the way, and today’s emergency funding to help get transportation networks back up and running safely will be followed by additional federal resources.”

In a statement on X on Saturday, Gov. Roy Cooper thanked Buttigieg for the quick release of funding.

“We know the needs will be substantial and we will keep working to repair and rebuild western NC,” Cooper said.

The funding represents just the latest part of the federal response, which has included approving more than $32 million in immediate emergency financial assistance for more than 27,000 North Carolina households.

President Joe Biden visited Raleigh last week and commited to full federal funding support for hurricane cleanup efforts, and Vice President Kamala Harris also visited the state over the weekend, promising continued federal support for recovery efforts, such as providing survivors with $750 in immediate emergency financial assistance.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell encouraged more people to apply for this assistance.

“The $750 gets you money to help with your medicine or the food you lost in your refrigerator, and then we’re going to give additional money for the repairs to your homes, and the items that were lost,” Criswell said on Monday. “We’re going to help with any rental, or any of the displacement costs if they went and stayed at a hotel.”

Nearly 7,000 federal personnel, including more than 800 FEMA staff, are also on the ground, including dozens of employees solely focused on helping survivors apply for FEMA assistance and connecting them to other resources, according to the agency. So far, FEMA says it’s delivered over 15.6 million meals, 13.9 million liters of water, 157 generators, and more than 505,000 tarps to the affected areas.

More than 1,200 Urban Search and Rescue personnel are also on the ground and have rescued or supported more than 3,200 survivors, according to FEMA.

The Biden-Harris administration has also deployed 1,500 active-duty troops, including some from Fort Liberty, in the Tar Heel state to move necessities like food and water to distribution sites and ultimately to survivors, according to the White House.

For those in need of FEMA assistance, homeowners and renters in 25 counties can apply by calling 1-800-621-3362 or visiting www.disasterassistance.gov. FEMA can assist with displacement, home repairs, and other serious needs caused by the storm.