RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — FEMA will not reverse its decision to deny matching 100% of the State of North Carolina’s expenditures used for Hurricane Helene recovery.
In a letter to Governor Josh Stein (D) dated May 22nd, 2025, FEMA’s acting administrator, David Richardson, said:
“This is in response to your April 25, 2025, appeal of the denial of your request for an extension to the cost share waiver under major disaster FEMA-4827-DR that was declared on September 28, 2024, due to Tropical Storm Helene. You specifically requested an extension of the 100 percent federal cost share for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance for an additional 180 days.
After a careful and thorough review of all the information available, including that contained in your initial request for a cost share adjustment and appeal, we have concluded that an extension of the 100 percent federal cost share for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance for an additional 180 days under major disaster declaration FEMA-4827-DR is not warranted.”
The letter did not offer an explanation as to why FEMA deemed the reimbursement is not warranted. The decision leaves it up to the state to figure out how to pay for at least $200 million in additional recovery expenses.
In a statement, Gov. Stein responded:
“The first step to help western North Carolina recover is to clean up all the debris. So far, we have removed more than 12 million cubic yards of debris from roads and water ways, but given the immense scale of the wreckage, we have only scratched the surface. FEMA’s denial of our appeal will cost North Carolina taxpayers potentially hundreds of millions of dollars to clean up out west. The money we have to pay toward debris removal will mean less money towards supporting our small businesses, rebuilding downtown infrastructure, repairing our water and sewer systems, and other critical needs.
“Despite this news, we are going to stay the course. We will keep pushing the federal and state governments to do right by western North Carolina. We will keep working with urgency, focus, and transparency to get any appropriated money on the ground as quickly as we can to speed the recovery. We will not forget the people of western North Carolina.”
Stein’s office said it is also asking the Trump administration and the U.S. Congress to send $19 billion to North Carolina for disaster relief which would include $11.5 billion in new appropriations and $7.5 billion in allocations from previous appropriations.
