News

Hurricane relief bill headed to governor’s desk

By Lightning reports, Published: June 26, 2025

The North Carolina Senate on Thursday unanimously approved the fifth Hurricane Helene relief package, bringing the total state funding dedicated to Western North Carolina recovery to more than $2.1 billion.

House Bill 1012 sets aside $700 million in the Hurricane Helene Relief Fund and then appropriates $500 million from that fund. It also reallocates nearly $300 million within the Department of Transportation budget for recovery needs, according to a press release from N.C. Senate Leader Phil Berger.
The House also approved House Bill 1012, sending it to Gov. Josh Stein for his consideration. He has 10 days to sign it into law, veto it, or let it become law without his signature.
The compromise package includes:

• $70 million for local government capital repairs
• $51.5 million in additional funding for the local government cash-flow loan program
• $5 million to support tourism efforts
• $25 million to help farmers in the impacted area with farm infrastructure losses
• $75 million for construction and reimbursement of privately owned roads and bridges
• $64.3 million for the repair and reconstruction of damaged schools
• $18 million for fire stations and rescue squads in Western North Carolina
• $15 million for the North Carolina Forest Service for wildfire assets and preparedness
• $12.25 million through the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund to repair damaged state park facilities and expedite reopening
• $15 million to the Selectsite fund to support economic development in the impacted area

Additionally, it extends the Hurricane Helene State of Emergency to Oct. 1.