State Emergency Response Commission discuss western NC recovery efforts following Helene
It's been nearly 7 months since Helene ravaged Western North Carolina, leaving behind flooded roads and destroyed buildings.
The meeting comes just as Governor Josh Stein appealed FEMA's decision not to renew 100 percent match of recovery funding from the storm.
NC Governor Stein appeals FEMA decision to not renew 100% match for Helene recovery
There are scenes that Justin Graney, Chief of External Affairs and Communications with the Division of Emergency Management, will never forget.
'It was the largest response in North Carolina history for the worst disaster in North Carolina history with thousands of responders coming into the area. Over 3,300 searchers working in Western North Carolina in the immediate aftermath of Helene,' said Graney.
Nearly seven months after the storm, recovery is still a top priority.
Members of the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) joined together to discuss recovery efforts.
Graney says since the storm hit, over six million cubic yards of debris have been removed and over 8,000 private roadways and bridge projects have been awarded.
Graney also told the commission that almost $100 million has been appropriated for the state's private road and bridge program that was established to help property owners repair private roads and bridges damaged during the storm.
'We're working closely with the volunteer organizations that have come into the area and have signed on to assist as well as bringing on consultants and engineers to facilitate that for small communities, homeowners, community centers that had a private bridge that was either damaged or destroyed to make sure that we get those repaired and in place.
With cuts to federal funding, Graney is keeping faith that it doesn't affect the progress toward recovery efforts in the western part of the state.
'We're also extremely committed to learning every lesson we can, however it takes financial investment,' said Graney. 'We need to make sure that we're investing in local emergency management programs as well as the state program to make sure that we can fill these gaps so we can procure the right resources, the right assets and we can train the right personnel to make sure that we take these lessons learned so that we're more ready next time.'
Garney says the state is currently working on an after-action review where they will assess what went well in response to the storm and provide recommendations to improve.
He says the Department of Emergency Management plans to release the report to the public soon.
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