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ASHEVILLE, N.C.–While high-profile Republicans like Donald Trump continue to spread misinformation around hurricane recovery efforts, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced a new program in North Carolina to support survivors and assistance totaling $300 million.
“We have been decisively engaged with the communities impacted by Hurricane Helene and subsequently Milton even before landfall. We prepositioned assets to prepare for an effective response,” FEMA Deputy Administrator Erik Hooks told the Black Wall Street Times Monday.
“Some communities were more cut off than others, just due to the terrain and how the storm impacted them. So, we tailored the response–and are tailoring our recovery–to meet those people where they are,” Hooks said.
On Sunday, the White House announced it was establishing a new program to hire community liaisons to help coordinate relief efforts between FEMA and local communities across North Carolina, one of the states most devastated by recent storms strengthened by a warming climate.
Trump attacks FEMA in North Carolina
The announcement of more federal support comes as former twice-impeached president and 2024 presidential nominee Donald Trump continues to launch lies about storm recovery efforts during campaign appearances.
During a stop in Asheville, North Carolina Monday–one of the places hit hardest by flooding from Hurricane Helene–Trump doubled down on attacking FEMA. He called the agency a disaster and falsely claimed storm recovery efforts were spent on undocumented immigrants.
“You know, in theory they’re supposed to have it, but they spent a lot of money on bringing illegal migrants, people that came into our country illegally, and taking them in and all of the money they spent. Numbers that nobody can even believe. So they don’t have any money for people that live here,” Trump told reporters.
While FEMA does have funding sources that support other issues, there’s no evidence to support the claim that FEMA diverted disaster relief efforts to immigration-related issues. FEMA created a web page just to respond to the false rumors.
“The most unfortunate thing is that it has led some disaster survivors to be reluctant in coming forward to apply for the disaster assistance they need,” FEMA Deputy Administrator Hooks told the Black Wall Street Times.
He said the agency had to make operational modifications for a short period to ensure the safety of relief workers. At least one North Carolina man faces criminal charges for threatening FEMA workers, and witnesses in a remote Tennessee town reported seeing an armed group threatening FEMA workers, the AP reported.
Nevertheless, FEMA remains in the area working with local, state and federal partners. “We are encouraging people to step past the noise,” Deputy Administrator Hooks said.
“There for the long haul”
The announcement of adds to the 14 Disaster Recovery Centers established in the state, along with temporary hotel stays to roughly 2,500 households. Active duty troops and state National guard members remain on the ground to support search-and-rescue efforts. Meanwhile, FEMA has performed over 21,000 home inspections to help residents apply for assistance, the White House stated.
Researchers and FEMA workers continue to estimate damages from Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, which pelted Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and other states in recent weeks. While some estimates range as high as $250 billion, even lower estimates of $50 billion make the storms among the costliest in recent history, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
In total, the Biden administration has released more than $300 million in federal aid to North Carolina. It was unexpectedly hit hardest after Hurricane Helene caused widespread flooding. Combined, Hurricane Helene and Milton killed at least 250 people.
“We are there for the long haul. We have people in the communities that will continue to register people and get them the assistance that they need as they walk on their individual and community journeys back to recovery,” Hooks said.
To register for FEMA disaster relief assistance in North Carolina or surrounding states, you can go through the FEMA app on Android or Iphone, online at disasterassistance.gov, or call 1-800-621-3362.
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