North Carolina is grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which has left an estimated $53 billion in damages and shattered previous records for storm destruction in the state. With 96 confirmed dead and tens of thousands displaced, Governor Roy Cooper has called Helene “the deadliest and most damaging storm ever to hit North Carolina.”
Helene’s unprecedented rain and flooding triggered over 1,400 landslides, ravaged more than 6,000 miles of roads, and destroyed 1,000 bridges. State officials estimate around 126,000 homes have been damaged, while 93% of flood-hit properties lacked insurance coverage.
“This jaw-dropping damage reminds us that we’re just beginning to rebuild,” Cooper warned as he unveiled a $3.9 billion recovery request to the General Assembly.
The storm’s devastation has far outpaced previous hurricanes, including 2018’s Florence, which caused $17 billion in damage. The state now faces immense challenges in funding repairs and preventing future disasters.
Legislators have already approved $273 million in emergency funding, but with 220,000 households expected to apply for federal aid, much more is needed. Cooper’s proposal also includes grants for businesses and farmers, alongside infrastructure repairs.
As the Republican-controlled legislature prepares to meet for additional recovery legislation, political tensions are simmering over handling of past storms. Cooper’s administration is under scrutiny, with some accusing it of mismanagement.
With billions on the line, the question remains: can North Carolina recover before the next storm strikes?
