As we mourn the deaths and grapple with the destruction inflicted on our state by Hurricane Helene, I submit that the storm has brought out much that is good about North Carolina — and much that is vile about social media.
Today, the North Carolina Senate passed the initial round of hurricane relief for Western North Carolina. The bill, among other things, creates a Helene Fund that will include $273 million from the state’s Savings Reserve, also known as the Rainy Day Fund.
RALEIGH - As donations and efforts to provide humanitarian relief to Western North Carolina residents continue, local residents and those wishing to help are encouraged to tune into trusted local sources for the latest information on meal sites, points of distribution for commodities, and specific donation needs for counties. A list of reliable sources of local information and resources for each impacted North Carolina county is available at www.ncdps.gov/helene-local-links.
On Monday, Governor Roy Cooper and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell met with U.S. Northern Command Commander General Gregory Guillot and Dual Status Commander Brigadier General Wes Morrison in Western North Carolina. More than 2,500 Soldiers and Airmen are now working in Western North Carolina with approximately 500 more on their way.
Senators Ted Budd and Thom Tillis, along with Reps. David Rouzer and Dr. Greg Murphy, will take an air tour of Tropical Storm Helene storm damage in Western North Carolina alongside Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler.
Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. issued the following statement in anticipation of his visit to Asheville, NC and surrounding areas tomorrow to survey Hurricane Helene damage and recovery efforts:
