ASHEVILLE, N.C. — "The deadliest tropical storm in our state's history," that is how North Carolina Governor, Roy Cooper is now describing Hurricane Helene's impact on western North Carolina.
25 days out from the storm, the area is beginning to pick up the pieces, and the state is reporting substantial progress.
State leaders and FEMA gave an update Monday morning about response and recovery efforts.
According to the state, just after the storm hit, more than one million customers were without power that number is now down to about 5,000. The majority of cell phone service is restored, and most of the closed roadways and schools are back open.
WFMY News 2 spoke with FEMA Spokesperson, John Mills Monday. He said 15 disaster recovery centers have been opened across the impacted area.
"People may be getting contractor estimates by now showing what it is going to cost to begin the rebuilding process and what it is going to take to get back to normal. FEMA is not designed to be a replacement for insurance, but we can help jump start the recovery for survivors, that's why we've already provided more than $100 million directly to people who have been affected by the storm," explained Mills.
Online rumors claim Helene survivors are more likely to get FEMA help if they apply in-person. This claim is not true. Mills said FEMA has already approved more than 90,0000 households for assistance and most of those applications were completed online. However, he encourages people in immediate need to go in person.
"People who are very seriously affected, meaning significant damage to their home. Maybe their home has major damage, maybe it has been destroyed, maybe it has serious, serious damage and people don't know what they're going to do next. I would encourage people to come to a disaster recovery center, sit down with us in person and let us work with you one on one," said Mills.
Mills also debunked online rumors stating FEMA money has to be re-paid. He confirmed assistance money given to people in need does not have to be paid back.
Additionally, Mills said people who apply for assistance online can expect to hear back in a matter of days.
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