North Carolina lawmakers returning to pass Helene aid package

Lawmakers in North Carolina are returning to Raleigh to pass legislation next week securing fiscal aid and lawful allowances in other areas of daily life to the western part of the state devastated by Hurricane Helene flooding.

Past precedent includes not only appropriating money but also working with election law, education attendance requirements and educators’ pay, and fees associated with driver’s licenses. The storm that came ashore Sept. 26 in the Big Bend of Florida as a Category 4 hurricane with 140 mph sustained winds stalled out over the Appalachian Mountains and Tennessee, causing catastrophic flooding that killed 72 in Buncombe County.

Six states collectively have lost more than 220 lives to the fourth most deadly hurricane of the last three-quarters of a century, and rescue workers are yet to say they have accounted for all the missing. Friday marked the eighth day of rescues. Power remained out for more than 249,000 in North Carolina at 5:30 Friday afternoon, with utility companies explaining that some houses or businesses no longer physically sit where they once did, same as with paved roads.

Some areas may go another week without electricity.

A joint statement from Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, and House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, said in part, “Our hearts are broken for the communities that have been ravaged by Hurricane Helene. Despite the destruction, it has been incredible to see how North Carolinians have stepped up to help. We cannot let up on those efforts or forget about the small communities that have been effectively closed off because of this storm.

"The General Assembly is preparing to come back next week to vote on an initial disaster relief package to facilitate the state's response to Hurricane Helene. We are still working to determine what needs to be included in that legislation. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the victims of this storm and those who have lost loved ones, as well as the aid workers, volunteers, and rescue teams supporting the region."

Aid has poured in from multiple states, and in remarkable ways. Helicopters have found people by mirrors reflecting the sun; mules have carried medicine and supplies up muddied slopes and through flooded terrain. In some communities, communication is akin to a town crier on a picnic table amid where people can safely gather for updates.

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler pleaded for fencing supplies from other farmers throughout the state to help with livestock. Agriculture is a $111.1 billion industry, biggest in the state, and an estimate on damage is unclear.

Republican U.S. Reps. Virginia Foxx, Dr. Greg Murphy and Chuck Edwards led authorship with other members of Congress of a letter to President Joe Biden, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and EPA Administrator Michael Regan asking for the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to be “interpreted as loosely as possible, so the federal government provides support, not interference in the recovery effort.”

For the first time since the storm hit, there was no daily update release from Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.

Edwards, the congressman who along with Foxx represents the portion of the state most severely impacted, said in a release 49 water treatment plants still have no power and 43 are out of water. He said water systems on a boil advisory is down from 142 on Thursday to 91.

Edwards said more than 130 roads have been reopened. Late Friday, DriveNC.org reported 617 closed. That includes three interstates, 44 federal highways, 56 state roads and 514 secondary roads. The total number, courtesy of secondary roads, has climbed each of the last three days of the workweek.

Eight hurricanes since 1950 have killed 100 or more people. Helene is only eclipsed – so far – by Katrina (2005, deaths 1,392), Audrey (1957, deaths 416) and Camille (1969, deaths 256). On Friday the toll eclipsed Sandy (2012, deaths 219), and on Thursday it went past Diane (1955, deaths 184).