Last Updated on April 1, 2026 3:53 pm
FEMA has announced more than $103 million in additional federal funding for North Carolina's recovery from Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Florence, with Watauga County's Valle Crucis School receiving the largest single grant in the latest round of approvals.
The funding covers more than 50 Public Assistance projects across the state. The announcement was made April 1, 2026.
Watauga County Schools received a $26.1 million grant for what is now referred to as the former Valle Crucis School, which was severely damaged by floodwaters from Tropical Storm Helene.
Other significant grants in the region include $6.2 million for Avery County for debris removal from non-navigable waterways following Helene, and $4.8 million to the North Carolina Department of Transportation to repair multiple washed-out segments along State Route 197 in Mitchell County, including restoring the road base, pavement, and culverts and adding erosion-control measures.
Among the other major grants statewide, Haywood County received $12.5 million for debris removal from waterways, and French Broad Electric Membership Corporation received $7.3 million to repair the Capitola Dam and restore its power-generating capabilities.
FEMA's Public Assistance program reimburses state and local governments and eligible nonprofit applicants for emergency work such as debris removal, emergency protective measures, and permanent repairs to roads, bridges, water control facilities, public buildings, and other infrastructure. For Helene-related projects, FEMA is reimbursing at least 90 percent of costs, with the remaining share covered by non-federal sources.
Prior to today's announcement, more than $5.3 billion had already been provided to North Carolina for recovery efforts. FEMA has also paid nearly $564.2 million in grants directly to survivors to help families recover.
📋 FEMA
