FEMA denies N.C's request for FEMA reimbursement extension
By Katie Myers
April 14, 2025 at 3:28 PM EDT
This coverage is made possible through a partnership between BPR and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization.
The state will not get more time to ask for federal reimbursement from Hurricane Helene damage. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, denied a request by NC Governor Josh Stein to extend the 100% reimbursement by 180 days.
In a letter provided to NC Newsline, FEMA’s temporary administrator Cameron Hamilton said the request for funding for “debris removal and emergency protective measures’ was “not warranted.”
In a statement on Friday, Gov. Stein reacted to the decision.
“The need in western North Carolina remains immense — people need debris removed, homes rebuilt, and roads restored,” he said. “I am extremely disappointed and urge the President to reconsider FEMA’s bad decision, even for 90 days. Six months later, the people of western North Carolina are working hard to get back on their feet; they need FEMA to help them get the job done."
According to Stein, this funding is still needed for debris cleanup, individual assistance, and the restoration of public works damaged by the storm.
The Trump administration has signaled a desire to downsize FEMA or move some of its functions to the states. The administration recently denied a similar request from Georgia to cover Helene-related cleanup expenses at a 100% reimbursement rate .
The reimbursement, instituted for six months after Helene struck in September, was intended to lessen the burden of a massive cleanup on Western North Carolina, as local governments struggled to keep up with needed repairs for water systems, public buildings, businesses, neighborhoods, and downtowns. The denial comes as many local officials are frustrated with the slow pace of federal funding, and many are still waiting on FEMA reimbursement for repairs.
The state has 30 days to appeal this decision.
Neither FEMA nor Gov. Stein’s office responded to a request for comment as of Monday morning.
The state will not get more time to ask for federal reimbursement from Hurricane Helene damage. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, denied a request by NC Governor Josh Stein to extend the 100% reimbursement by 180 days.
In a letter provided to NC Newsline, FEMA’s temporary administrator Cameron Hamilton said the request for funding for “debris removal and emergency protective measures’ was “not warranted.”
In a statement on Friday, Gov. Stein reacted to the decision.
“The need in western North Carolina remains immense — people need debris removed, homes rebuilt, and roads restored,” he said. “I am extremely disappointed and urge the President to reconsider FEMA’s bad decision, even for 90 days. Six months later, the people of western North Carolina are working hard to get back on their feet; they need FEMA to help them get the job done."
According to Stein, this funding is still needed for debris cleanup, individual assistance, and the restoration of public works damaged by the storm.
The Trump administration has signaled a desire to downsize FEMA or move some of its functions to the states. The administration recently denied a similar request from Georgia to cover Helene-related cleanup expenses at a 100% reimbursement rate .
The reimbursement, instituted for six months after Helene struck in September, was intended to lessen the burden of a massive cleanup on Western North Carolina, as local governments struggled to keep up with needed repairs for water systems, public buildings, businesses, neighborhoods, and downtowns. The denial comes as many local officials are frustrated with the slow pace of federal funding, and many are still waiting on FEMA reimbursement for repairs.
The state has 30 days to appeal this decision.
Neither FEMA nor Gov. Stein’s office responded to a request for comment as of Monday morning.