CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Gov. Roy Cooper will return to western North Carolina on Monday where he's expected to give an update on recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene.
Cooper's visit comes as the storm is now blamed for at least 115 deaths in North Carolina alone. Helene's death toll climbed to 235 across the Southeast this weekend, and officials say the number is expected to rise as crews reach more remote areas in western North Carolina.
The governor will be joined by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and other officials at the Asheville airport for a news conference at 11:35 a.m. Following the stop in Asheville, Cooper is scheduled to visit Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, where Helene caused widespread damage.
"To wake up one morning and everything that you own be gone is a tragic situation," Cooper said Friday. "This is an unprecedented situation that's going to require an unprecedented response."
Cooper said over 50,000 people have applied for FEMA assistance, telling reporters over $6 million has been distributed in North Carolina. He encouraged anyone with damaged property to apply as soon as possible for federal aid.
On Saturday, the Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration announced North Carolina will receive $100 million in emergency relief funds to help pay for repairs caused by Helene. Hundreds of roads remain closed because of the storm, including a portion of Interstate 40 near the Tennessee border, which is expected to be closed for "months at a minimum," according to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Vice President Kamala Harris visited North Carolina on Saturday, where she met with Cooper and first responders in Asheville. She promised federal assistance would continue to flow and added praise for the "strangers who are helping each other out, giving people shelter and food and friendship and fellowship.”
As the recovery continues, state lawmakers say they're prepared to approve initial disaster relief this week to address Helene's destruction. The Republican-controlled legislature already had a one-day session scheduled for Wednesday, but House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger issued a news release saying details are being worked out on how the General Assembly can facilitate the state's response.
Damage in the mountains is still being evaluated, so lawmakers expect to this legislation will include just a down payment on the state's contribution, along with other changes to state law that would provide flexibility to agencies and displaced residents.
For example, within two weeks of the destruction caused by Hurricane Florence in eastern North Carolina in September 2018, lawmakers quickly approved $57 million in disaster relief funds and also waived fees for displaced residents to obtain new driver’s licenses and identification cards. They also passed a bill forgiving schools in the hardest-hit areas up to 20 lost instructional days to ensure workers got paid.
The state government currently has $4.75 billion set aside in a “rainy-day” fund and $733 million in a disaster response reserve. Other pots of money could be tapped if needed.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.