New numbers revealed the cost of destruction to North Carolina after Hurricane Helene. The state needs at least a record $53 billion to recover.
That number includes damages and potential investments to prevent similar destruction in future storms.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, D, said the state’s previous record for storm damage was $17 billion from Hurricane Florence in 2018.
Helene caused 1,400 landslides in western North Carolina and damaged or destroyed around 126,000 homes. More than 1,000 bridges and at least 6,000 miles of roads were also damaged.
Nearly 40 of the state’s 100 counties are within the federally declared disaster area.
Critics say the government didn’t act fast enough following the storm, which led to private citizens forming their own homegrown rescue and supply operation known as the “redneck air force.”
The group, created by Savage Freedoms, includes current and former soldiers, special operations pilots and helicopter tour guides.
The group is using its own aircraft to fly doctors, medicine, generators, fuel and food to isolated residents, relying on donations to fund the project.
FEMA said it has shipped over 9 million meals and more than 11 million liters of water.
Lawmakers plan to meet for a one-day session on Thursday, Oct. 24, to advance additional hurricane recovery legislation for North Carolina. They already approved a $273 million package.
