News

Edney Inn, Hog Rock and Pot Shoals roads, Lake Lure Marina get FEMA grants

By Lightning Reports, Published: January 28, 2026

A new round of disaster aid from FEMA will provide $4.5 million to fix Pot Shoals Road, $1.8 million for marine docks at Lake Lure and $1.61 million to repair Edney Inn Road and Hog Rock Road, roads in Edneyville and the Hickory Nut Gorge that were badly damaged by Hurricane Helene.

U.S. Chuck Edwards and U.S. Sen. Ted Budd announced on Wednesday the release more than $230 million in additional Public Assistance funding for continued Helene recovery efforts.

Edney Inn and Hog Rock roads experienced "severe washout, material loss, and erosion of the road’s sub-base, embankments, shoulder/slope areas, asphalt surfaces, pavement marking lines, and corrugated metal pipe culverts," Budd's office said in a news release. In making repairs, the NCDOT will incorporate mitigation by adding rip rap and other erosion control methods to stabilize the roadways and prevent future damage.

As a result of Helene, Lake Lure Marina's "floating and fixed docks, gangways and all associated components were displaced and severely damaged," Budd's office said in a news release. The town will let contracts to repair and restore the docks "back to their pre-disaster design, capacity and function within the existing footprint."

The funding also includes:

• $8.8 million to Blue Ridge Electric Membership for permanent electric and broadband infrastructure repairs.
• $2.7 million to the North Carolina Department of Transportation for road repairs in Avery County.
• More than $11 million to the North Carolina Department of Transportation for roadway repairs across multiple routes in Buncombe County.
• $200 million to North Carolina Emergency Management for emergency protective measures, including temporary water restoration, shelters, generators, and disaster response operations across Western North Carolina.

“These resources represent another big step forward in helping Western North Carolina recover from Hurricane Helene,”  Edwards said. “From restoring critical infrastructure to supporting emergency response efforts, these funds will help our communities rebuild stronger. I will continue working closely with FEMA and our state and local partners to ensure recovery efforts remain a top priority.”

Budd added: “Communities across Western North Carolina have fronted millions of dollars to clear and repair damage caused by Hurricane Helene. I’ve continued to engage with the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA to expedite the release of federal aid for recovery and repairs that had been stalled, and I am proud to announce that another $233 million is on the way. I am grateful to President Trump for his consistent support for Western North Carolina and to his administration for helping get these funds out the door."