News

Here's the latest Helene aid numbers

By Lightning Reports, Published: January 9, 2025

FEMA reported that it has delivered this disaster aid as of this week:

• $301 million approved to 143,000+ households and individuals beginning their recovery. That includes money to help rent a home or apartment as survivors begin their recovery. 
• $309 million in Public Assistance funding approved to support community recovery.
• The U.S. Small Business Administration is still accepting low-interest loan applications. To date more than 10,720 loan applications have been received, with 2,716 approved for more than $201 million. Of that, $53.8 million in low-interest disaster loans have been paid directly to North Carolina survivors.
• FEMA is providing multiple temporary housing options to meet North Carolinians’ individual needs. The first step to receiving housing assistance is applying with FEMA. o More than 5,600 households are using Transitional Sheltering Assistance hotels and motels. o 93 households have been placed in temporary housing units provided by FEMA Direct Temporary Housing Assistance.
• FEMA has contracted with 18 commercial parks to be able to place units and the agency is working with 16 other parks for potential contracting purposes.
• More than 2.6 million cubic yards of debris has been removed from public rights of way by FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and contractors.
• More than $47.6 million in federal unemployment benefits have been provided to 6,400+ survivors. For more information, call the unemployment assistance hotline at 919-629-3857 (for Spanish call 919-276-5698).