‘There is progress’: Gov. Cooper, FEMA share update on Hurricane Helene response efforts in western NC

Recovery efforts continue as FEMA delivers millions in aid to Hurricane Helene survivors.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper joined federal, state, and local responders on Monday at Asheville Regional Airport to deliver critical updates on Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in western North Carolina.

“There is progress in western North Carolina towards recovery,” Cooper said. “We are grateful for the thousands of local, state, and federal officials who are working in a coordinated way to bring relief to the years from an unprecedented, devastating storm. We know that there is much more to do, but we know that the people here are determined and resilient.”

Monday’s press conference came just days after President Joe Biden visited Raleigh to commit full federal funding support for hurricane cleanup efforts, and Vice President Kamala Harris toured the region, promising continued federal support for recovery efforts, such as providing survivors with $750 in immediate emergency financial assistance.

RELATED: Biden commits to 100% federal funding for Hurricane Helene cleanup in NC

Federal and state recovery efforts

Over the weekend, the US Department of Transportation granted $100 million in emergency funding to the state to rebuild roads and bridges. On Monday, Cooper reiterated that tourists and other visitors should continue to avoid western NC.

“We need to preserve roads for the commodities that are coming in, for utility workers, for cell phone workers, for people who are medical,” Cooper said. “So we don’t want people coming right now. There will be some roads that will take quite a while in order to repair.” 

Helene, which made landfall on Sept. 27, has caused the deaths of at least 115 North Carolinians and over 230 people across the Southeast. The death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue teams reach more remote areas. 

Cooper said there are 1700 active duty North Carolina National Guard soldiers and airmen activated to continue search-and-rescues operations, as well as deliver supplies to affected communities, in addition to thousands more National Guard personnel from other states.

Biden 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.

Nearly 7,000 federal personnel, including FEMA staff, are also on the ground, 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.

READ MORE: ‘We are working around the clock to reach you’: NC leaders pledge rescue and recovery after Helene’s devastation

Rumors and misinformation

More than 104,000 people have registered for federal assistance and FEMA has distributed  over $30 million thus far, according to Cooper. FEMA has also activated its Transitional Sheltering Assistance program, which has already put 1,700 people in hotel rooms.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell encouraged more people to apply for assistance, and said she’s heard rumors preventing people from doing so.

“People that have been impacted are afraid to apply for our assistance, assistance that then they can get a hotel room, they can get reimbursement for some of the costs or damages to their home,” Criswell said. “If I can’t get them to apply, I can’t give them the money and the resources that they’re eligible for.”

Criswell said one of the rumors she’s heard is if people accept the $750 and don’t pay it back, then the government would take their home. She said this rumor is absolutely false.

“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. “We’re going to help with any rental, or any of the displacement costs if they went and stayed at a hotel. So all of that is reimbursed, and I can’t give it to them if they don’t apply. And if people are afraid to apply, then it is hurting them.”

Next steps

During the press conference’s Q & A’s, Cooper said the latest number of missing North Carolinians are “rapidly dwindling” as federal and state officials are working to check on reports.

“We know a lot of reunifications have occurred that have not been reported back,” Cooper said. “We know that a lot of people have finally gotten cell phone service and talked to the people who made the report that hadn’t gotten back to us.”

While he could not provide the actual number of those missing, he anticipates an update by Tuesday at the latest. For those wanting to get in touch with loved ones they haven’t heard back from, they can do so by calling the 211 hotline or visiting unitedwaync.org to add them to search and rescue efforts.  

Others who were present at the press conference included Gen. Gregory Guillot of NORTHCOM, Secretary of Public Safety Eddie Buffaloe, Secretary of Military and Veterans Affairs Greer Martin, National Guard Commander Col. Freddie Johnson, and Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense Rebecca Zimmerman.

Following the conference in Asheville, Cooper will travel to Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, two areas hit the worst from the storm, to further assess damage and meet with local officials.

If you need help

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.

Residents seeking to help or donate can visit nc.gov for more information on volunteer opportunities and ways to contribute to the recovery effort.

RELATED: Here’s how to help and get help after Hurricane Helene