Noam Approves #155M in additional FEMA Funds
- Jane Bilello
- 1 minute ago
- 1 min read
The Department of Homeland Security announced that another $155 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance funds would be released for Western North Carolina recovery from Tropical Storm Helene on Nov. 4.
Under FEMA's Public Assistance program, supplemental grants are provided to state, tribal, territorial and local governments as reimbursements for additional expenditures made after natural disasters. Since Helene hit, the agency has provided over $849 million in funds through the program to North Carolina, according to FEMA Open Data. The grants cover at least 90% of eligible work under the program. DHS announced the additional funding on social media.
The amount of funding received by North Carolina by the federal government makes up roughly 9% of estimated costs, according to an Oct. 14 presentation by the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Western North Carolina Recovery.
Where the additional $155 million is going in the region is unclear. DHS did not respond to Citizen Times request for comment on how the funds will be used.
WNC communities have faced delays in receiving funding after Helene hit on Sept. 27, 2024, causing roughly $60 billion in damages and killing over 100 in the state. A spending rule created by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem requires her personal approval of contracts over $100,000, which public officials believe to be a reason for delays. DHS has denied the claim.