RALEIGH, N.C. — State lawmakers announced a $273 million disaster relief bill to help western North Carolina communities devastated by Hurricane Helene.
House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate Leader Phil Berger introduced the legislation alongside state leaders during a news conference at the General Assembly Wednesday morning. Berger and Moore said they've been in contact with Gov. Roy Cooper to discuss how the General Assembly can best help those impacted by Helene.
House Bill 149 was unanimously approved by the North Carolina House on Wednesday afternoon.
Moore said he's visited several counties in western North Carolina and said the damage he saw firsthand was simply breathtaking.
"I don't think anybody could foresee what's happening in western North Carolina," Moore said. "Some folks standing behind me today lost everything they had and I saw these men and these women and folks throughout western North Carolina who had so much loss themselves, stepping up and helping their neighbors."
Moore said the bill lawmakers will pass on Wednesday approves $273 million for disaster relief. Of that money, $250 million will go toward state agencies and local governments for federal disaster recovery. Moore also said the General Assembly will return on Oct. 24 for another session that could include additional Helene relief. Lawmakers will also meet again in November to deal with other matters.
"Every day efforts are being made to get there," Moore said. "The recovery that is going to have to be done is something that's a Herculean task, but it's something that we will get done."
Sen. Ralph Hise, a Republican who represents several mountain counties, including Ashe, Avery and Watauga, said Helene was the most devastating thing he's ever seen. He said the entire water system plant in Mitchell County was destroyed by Helene, saying it could take years for things to return to normal in some locations.
"Many of the areas I represent, all the counties I represent, have been devastated in this storm," Hise said. "I had entire counties without water, power, sewer, cell service. We've been trying to rescue, but there are still areas you can't rescue unless you're on a motorcycle or a side-by-side. We've had an incredible outpouring from so many communities across the state, but we're in a long-term recovery."
Berger also outlined several steps taken by the state to help voters in western North Carolina ahead of the 2024 election. The State Board of Elections unanimously approved new rules for 13 counties impacted by Helene earlier this week. Berger said the state is expanding that to all 25 counties in the federal disaster declaration.
"This allows for more flexibility for selecting election judges and poll workers," Berger said. "This applies to just those 25 counties, not the entire state. State employees will be eligible to serve as election judges and poll workers without taking leave."
Berger also thanked volunteers and other organizations who have spent countless hours helping communities impacted by the storm.
"It can't be ignored how much ordinary North Carolinians, whether they were in the affected areas or somewhere else, just picked up and went to help their neighbors," Berger said. "But for that, this would've been much, much worse. Those folks are still there, still on the ground, they're still doing great work. That really is the heart of the recovery so far."
Rep. Mark Pless, who represents Haywood and Madison counties, urged residents to trust lawmakers to figure out what went wrong and how the state can be more prepared for the next major storm.
"I want to speak to the folks in the mountains. We hear you, we really hear you and we are going to find out," Pless said. "Trust us, but you're going to have to give us time, because getting people in safe locations and taking care of people who are hurt is going to be the priority for several months. Please be patient with us and if you need anything, reach out to your representatives. That's what we're here for."