Another $500 million would be spent toward Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in western North Carolina in legislation the state House unanimously approved Tuesday. The measure, if enacted, would add to the funds the Republican-controlled General Assembly already approved in late 2024 to spend on disaster recovery activities

Hurricane relief loans are reaching Western North Carolina local governments through a $100 million program initiated by the state.

RALEIGH, N.C. (CN) — North Carolina continues to make progress with disaster recovery, as lawmakers in the state House moved forward funding for Hurricane Helene relief Wednesday, working to distribute $500 million to the ongoing rebuilding effort.

It will cost $60 billion for North Carolina to recover from Hurricane Helene, according to the latest state estimate. “The challenges in relation to this are so enormous,” Thomas Chandler, deputy director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University,

The North Carolina House of Representatives passed House Bill 47, known as the “Disaster Recovery Act of 2025,” with strong support Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025. House Bill 47 allocates $500 million for Hurricane Helene relief efforts in Western North Carolina,

The state House unanimously approved an additional $500 million for Helene recovery Tuesday, including funding to rebuild homes damaged in the storm, clean up debris and rebuild private roads and bridges.