Gov. Cooper Signs 2nd Bill for Hurricane Helene Recovery in NC
Gov. Cooper Signs Second Disaster Recovery Bill For Hurricane Helene Relief
Source: The Washington Post / Getty
WRAL reports that Gov. Roy Cooper signed a $604 million relief bill to help rebuild parts of western North Carolina damaged by Hurricane Helene.
The bill signing comes one day after the House and Senate unanimously passed the bill. It is the second financial recovery package passed after lawmakers approved $273 million in aid earlier in the month.
Cooper said in a statement issued Friday (Oct. 25):
“Western North Carolina needs significant investments to recover fully from the worst storm our state has ever seen. Legislators have taken a small step here and should follow it with a more comprehensive package to help families, businesses and communities build back stronger.”
The state is expected to pass additional measures.
“There will be a lot more to do,” said Sen. Michael Lee, R-New Hanover, during Thursday’s debate. “It takes time to know what the needs are and how we should be responding. I think we are responding as quickly as we can with the information that we have.”
Here’s what the $600 million aid package entails:
- $100 million for water/wastewater infrastructure repair loans
- $100 million for cash flow loans to local governments
- $75 million to match federal disaster relief funds
- $50 million to help state/local governments address needs that are unmet and not covered by insurance
- $50 million for repairs to damaged public schools
- $50 million for bridge loans for small businesses.
Cooper’s budget director Kristin Walker said that of the $53.6 billion in estimated damages, the state anticipates that the federal government will cover about $13.6 billion. Meanwhile insurance or other private sector, payments might total $6.3 billion, leaving $33.8 billion in losses uncovered.
