CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Gov. Roy Cooper will return to Asheville on Thursday to survey the damage caused by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina.
While there, Cooper will be briefed on the ongoing relief efforts across the region, as well as plans to get critical infrastructure up and running. Cooper is scheduled to be joined by Sen. Thom Tillis and Rep. Chuck Edwards, both of whom have worked to squash rumors downplaying the state and federal response in the region. The group is scheduled to hold a briefing at 3:45 p.m. Thursday.
Dozens of water systems in western North Carolina were damaged or destroyed by Helene, including Buncombe County. Cooper said Monday that officials are making progress with water and power but didn't have an exact timeline for when Asheville's water would be running again.
State lawmakers approved a $273 million Helene relief package on Wednesday with a unanimous vote. Leaders are calling it a "down payment" on aid for the region with more funding expected. Over half of the 238 confirmed Helene-related deaths were in North Carolina. The governor thanked the General Assembly for quickly passing a bill to help communities impacted by Helene.
"The recovery that is going to have to be done is going to be something that is a Herculean task, but it is something that we will get done," House Speaker Tim Moore said.
Cooper and FEMA leaders stressed that federal personnel aren't leaving western North Carolina behind as crews also respond to Hurricane Milton in Florida. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said no resources will be taken from the region for Milton recovery.
"Those that are here on the ground are here to support the efforts that are still needed," Criswell said.
More than $60 million in FEMA Individual Assitance funds have been paid to more than 134,000 people, according to state officials. Approximately 2,6000 people are being housed by FEMA in hotels. Federal partners are credited with delivering approximately 9.78 million liters of water and approximately 7.7 million meals.
In North Carolina, more than 3,000 soldiers and airmen are now working in western North Carolina, according to Cooper's office. A joint task force led by the National Carolina National Huard is made up of military personnel from 12 states.