Western North Carolina's Helene recovery lags, with only a fraction of FEMA projects closed
Two years after Tropical Storm Helene, just 14% of nearly 3,000 FEMA Public Assistance projects in western North Carolina have reached closeout, and many local entities are still awaiting reimbursements.
Since Helene struck western North Carolina in September 2024, the FEMA Public Assistance database shows 2,942 projects involving 348 applicants, but only 413 have been closed out, representing about 14% of the total. Federal obligations exceed $2.48 billion, yet many schools, nonprofits and local governments still await substantial reimbursements. The largest pending effort is the reconstruction of Interstate 40 through the Pigeon River Gorge, now estimated at $2.8 billion and slated for full four-lane restoration by late 2029.
County managers, such as Haywood County manager Bryant Morehead, note that while they have resources to respond to another disaster, delayed reimbursements erode financial flexibility. Ongoing projects span emergency protective measures, road and bridge repairs, debris removal and water infrastructure upgrades across nine core counties. Closeout rates vary widely, with Haywood County at 26% and McDowell County below 4%, highlighting uneven progress in the region's long-term recovery.
