Last Updated on January 20, 2026 6:59 pm
Watauga, Ashe, and Avery counties will receive a share of $34.7 million for road and bridge repairs, and Beech Mountain will receive $3.7 million for sewer repairs, as part of more than $116 million in FEMA funding announced for North Carolina's Tropical Storm Helene recovery.
The $34.7 million grant to the North Carolina Department of Transportation will fund road and bridge repairs at more than 300 sites across Watauga, Ashe, Avery, Alleghany, Buncombe, Caldwell, Henderson, Mitchell, and Surry counties.
Beech Mountain's $3.7 million grant will fund repairs to the town's sewer system and wastewater treatment plant.
Of the total $116 million in approved funds, more than $72 million will go to rebuilding or restoring critical infrastructure, clearing debris from public roads, and repairing roads and bridges damaged by Helene. An additional $44.6 million will support hazard mitigation investments to protect communities from future flooding and severe weather.
Other Notable Infrastructure Grants
$17.6 million to Rutherford County for the removal of nearly 700,000 cubic yards of debris and 75,000 trees and limbs from public rights of way, and the operation of four debris reduction sites.
$10.5 million to Asheville for potable water distribution, the repair or replacement of more than 100 fleet vehicles, DeBruhl Water Treatment Plant repairs, and road repairs.
Hazard Mitigation Projects
$14.2 million to acquire flood-prone properties in Buncombe County.
$12 million to North Carolina Emergency Management to support the development and submission of hazard mitigation projects.
$9.5 million to acquire flood-prone properties in Henderson County.
$3.4 million to elevate 45 homes in Beaufort County.
$1.7 million to acquire flood-prone properties in Transylvania County.
Additional mitigation grants were announced for property acquisitions in Haywood, Brunswick, Catawba, and Madison counties, as well as generator installations in Liberty, Beaufort County, and Warrenton.
These mitigation projects are advancing through the final Congressional notification process. Acquired properties will be returned to open space and deed restricted, eliminating future flood risk.
Prior to this announcement, more than $1 billion was provided to North Carolina for recovery efforts. FEMA has also paid more than $549 million in grants to survivors to directly help families recover.
