Asheville Officials Seek $2 Billion in Federal Aid Amid Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts

Asheville’s Leaders Head to D.C. in Search of Relief Funds Post-Hurricane Helene

Asheville, North Carolina, is buzzing with anticipation as local officials prepare for a crucial trip to Washington, D.C. This upcoming journey is important for the city and neighboring Buncombe County, which experienced devastating impacts from Hurricane Helene. A delegation that includes Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer, Buncombe County Commissioners Amanda Edwards and Parker Sloan, along with several other local leaders, is set to meet with federal agencies and congressional representatives to request a significant boost in funding for recovery efforts—potentially as much as $2 billion.

A Serious Situation Unfolding

Starting this Wednesday, the delegation aims to convey the urgent needs resulting from the disaster. “We have literally never seen a disaster like Hurricane Helene,” said Edwards, the chair-elect of the county commission. With lives lost, businesses shut down, and livelihoods disrupted, regional officials are working not only to recover but to also highlight how interconnected their plight is.

The leaders will join forces with North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and Governor-elect Josh Stein for discussions highlighting the immediate and long-term needs for recovery. What makes this delegation unique is the unprecedented collaboration among leaders from different municipalities to stress that they are united in their fight for federal support.

Documenting the Needs

Local officials have prepared thorough documentation outlining the critical support they need. In a draft shared with the public, they emphasize that their requests focus primarily on urgent short-term needs. “This is a reflection of our short-term need, measured in months, and by no means a calculation of our total impact or longer-term need,” explained Sloan.

Asheville’s own report details “most urgent needs” across several categories, including housing, economic recovery, potable water, and rebuilding infrastructure. “The city’s physical and economic recovery will determine how Western North Carolina moves forward for years to come,” the document states aimed at making a compelling case for assistance.

Putting Faces to the Crisis

The delegates are hoping that personal stories and faces will add weight to their requests. They plan to meet with U.S. Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd, along with U.S. Representative Chuck Edwards. By speaking directly to these officials and their staff, the group intends to underscore the true depth of hardship faced by the community.

Meanwhile, the statistics are startling; Buncombe’s unemployment rate has shot up to 12%, echoing the distress felt across the region. More than 26,000 disaster-related unemployment claims have been filed, and the economic repercussions are immense.

The Financial Toll

Local businesses have reported losses amounting to over $584 million in a season that is typically bustling with tourism. As businesses falter, so too do the revenue streams that support local services. “These losses in revenue impact the County’s property, sales, and occupancy tax rates which ultimately support the programs and services needed to maintain existing public safety, emergency management and other functions,” the leaders pointed out in their documentation.

A Unique Case for Unique Aid

The devastating impact of Hurricane Helene has led officials to assert that they should receive a unique level of federal aid tailored to their situation. In light of how different this storm was from hurricanes that typically affect the state’s coast, planners are advocating for a special adjustment in expected funding levels: “Whatever funding metrics people think about for these types of things, they should add a zero to the end,” Sloan argued.

State Discussions and Unity

Back in Raleigh, the state legislature is also involved in the recovery discussions and is considering a $227 million disaster recovery fund. Some tension exists, however, as the additional relief funds are tied to other political issues, such as the authority of the state’s Board of Elections, which has raised concerns among local leaders.

Despite these challenges, hope remains. Edwards voiced optimism about what the trip to D.C. could yield: “Hopefully we’ll be coming back Thursday night with some great news and positive outcomes.” With local leaders banding together in these tough times, the hope is that their voice will be strong enough to sway those in a position to help.