The Trump Administration has officially approved North Carolina’s Hurricane Recovery Action Plan, unlocking a $1.4 billion federal grant to help communities in western North Carolina rebuild after Hurricane Helene, Governor Josh Stein announced Friday.
“This is great news for western North Carolina,” Stein said in a news release. “I thank the Trump Administration for moving quickly to approve this plan so we can get busy rebuilding people’s homes.”
The approval clears the way for North Carolina to access critical funds through the Community Development Block Grant for Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program. The grant was first announced in January, but required an approved action plan before funds could be released.
The decision highlights the Trump Administration’s continued commitment to supporting American families and communities devastated by natural disasters, cutting through bureaucratic red tape to deliver real results when they are most needed.
Last month, Trump signed an executive order aimed at restructuring disaster relief efforts by granting states and local governments greater authority in managing catastrophe responses, including hurricane recovery efforts. This initiative seeks to decentralize disaster management, allowing state and local officials to tailor responses to their communities’ specific needs.
The executive order establishes a task force to evaluate potential overhauls of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This move aligns with recent discussions about reducing federal oversight in disaster management.
During a visit to Asheville, North Carolina, President Trump criticized FEMA’s response to Hurricane Helene and proposed that states should take the lead in disaster management, with federal support as needed.
The executive order would also directs federal agencies to identify and eliminate regulatory barriers that may hinder swift disaster response and recovery at the state and local levels. By reducing bureaucratic obstacles, the administration aims to expedite the deployment of resources and assistance to affected areas.
