Rep. Chuck Edwards calls for plan to “speed up” hurricane recovery, change FEMA processes
By Lilly Knoepp
April 16, 2025 at 9:11 PM EDT
In a new report to President Trump, Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-11) called for 15 executive orders and other changes to “accelerate Hurricane Helene recovery” and update Federal Emergency Management Agency practices.
The report, issued on April 15, called for expedited funds for local governments, as well as for the federal government to fund 100% of many highway repairs.
Edwards, who was appointed to a FEMA task force in January, said these recommendations will “help our mountain folk recover more quickly.”
“My recommendations take a WNC-centered approach to address the unique circumstances surrounding our rebuilding process, because typical disaster recovery options will not suffice,” Edwards said in a press release.
“I’m confident that these recommendations will help our region gain momentum in recovery, and I look forward to continuing to work with President Trump and the FEMA task force in the next phase of the process, where we implement some of these recommendations.”
Infrastructure funding key to report
The 62-page report outlined Edwards’ vision for how to address recovery.
“The sheer scope of damage in Western North Carolina differentiates the disaster from that of others, and warrants a reevaluation of the traditional approach to disaster recovery.”
The report is divided into three sections: Recommendations for Helene Recovery in North Carolina, Recommendations for FEMA reform to improve NC Recovery, and additional requests.
One of the biggest requests in the document was for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to fund 100% of damages to North Carolina’s state roads and bridges that were damaged in the storm. The action would be taken as an executive order to support the “Rebuild WNC Act of 2025.” N.C. Department of Transportation preliminary estimates calculated total repairs for I-40 at $1 billion.
Right now, the FHWA covers 90% of costs while the state covers the final 10%. In the report, Edwards explained the arrangement left the NC DOT, with an annual budget of about $7 billion, responsible for $100 million to repair the North Carolina segment of I-40.
The NC DOT’s budget is made up of about 75% allocations from the state and 25% federal funding, according to its website.
“This cost share would severely hamstring the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s ability to keep up with other maintenance and construction obligations,” the reports stated.
Edwards cited the recent use of a 100 percent federal cost share award in the American Relief Act for the Francis Key Scott Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland for $2 billion as additional reasoning for the change.
The report also asked that the FHWA federal cost share for major corridors damaged by Hurricane Helene and FEMA reimbursement for all eligible project costs be 100 percent. Here is the breakdown of that request by county.
One of the requests asks that President Trump direct Congress to pass legislation increasing the FHWA federal cost share for major corridors damaged by Hurricane Helene and FEMA reimbursement for all eligible project costs to 100 percent. (1433x843, AR: 1.6998813760379596)
The report explained that tackling these transportation and infrastructure repairs is crucial for the local economy in Western North Carolina, including repairs to private roads and bridges.
As of March 14, 2025, Edwards says North Carolina reports spending $510 million on Helene recovery, and receiving $84 million in reimbursements through FEMA’s RAPID Reimbursement program.
However, the report states that North Carolina’s Department of Transportation continues to report 150 road closures, 100 of which are closed to all traffic. Out of 9,400 damaged sites about one-third “remain untouched” while one-third is completed and one-third is under construction.
Edwards recommends FEMA changes to be enacted through Executive Orders
Five executive orders in the report are specific recommendations for FEMA reform to “improve NC Recovery.” This includes enhancing technological capabilities and updating information technology systems, as well as launching a universal application process that would work across FEMA, SBA, HUD, USDA, and other federal entities in the Disaster Survivors Fairness Act.
The report also included seven additional requests that fall outside of requests for proclamations or executive orders. This includes a request to increase FEMA transparency, streamline FEMA applications and grant the State of North Carolina the authority to waive Environmental Historic Preservation (EHP) requirements to expedite disaster recovery projects.
The report has been submitted to the White House and the FEMA taskforce, of which Edwards is a member.
The report, issued on April 15, called for expedited funds for local governments, as well as for the federal government to fund 100% of many highway repairs.
Edwards, who was appointed to a FEMA task force in January, said these recommendations will “help our mountain folk recover more quickly.”
“My recommendations take a WNC-centered approach to address the unique circumstances surrounding our rebuilding process, because typical disaster recovery options will not suffice,” Edwards said in a press release.
“I’m confident that these recommendations will help our region gain momentum in recovery, and I look forward to continuing to work with President Trump and the FEMA task force in the next phase of the process, where we implement some of these recommendations.”
Infrastructure funding key to report
The 62-page report outlined Edwards’ vision for how to address recovery.
“The sheer scope of damage in Western North Carolina differentiates the disaster from that of others, and warrants a reevaluation of the traditional approach to disaster recovery.”
The report is divided into three sections: Recommendations for Helene Recovery in North Carolina, Recommendations for FEMA reform to improve NC Recovery, and additional requests.
One of the biggest requests in the document was for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to fund 100% of damages to North Carolina’s state roads and bridges that were damaged in the storm. The action would be taken as an executive order to support the “Rebuild WNC Act of 2025.” N.C. Department of Transportation preliminary estimates calculated total repairs for I-40 at $1 billion.
Right now, the FHWA covers 90% of costs while the state covers the final 10%. In the report, Edwards explained the arrangement left the NC DOT, with an annual budget of about $7 billion, responsible for $100 million to repair the North Carolina segment of I-40.
The NC DOT’s budget is made up of about 75% allocations from the state and 25% federal funding, according to its website.
“This cost share would severely hamstring the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s ability to keep up with other maintenance and construction obligations,” the reports stated.
Edwards cited the recent use of a 100 percent federal cost share award in the American Relief Act for the Francis Key Scott Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland for $2 billion as additional reasoning for the change.
The report also asked that the FHWA federal cost share for major corridors damaged by Hurricane Helene and FEMA reimbursement for all eligible project costs be 100 percent. Here is the breakdown of that request by county.
One of the requests asks that President Trump direct Congress to pass legislation increasing the FHWA federal cost share for major corridors damaged by Hurricane Helene and FEMA reimbursement for all eligible project costs to 100 percent. (1433x843, AR: 1.6998813760379596)
The report explained that tackling these transportation and infrastructure repairs is crucial for the local economy in Western North Carolina, including repairs to private roads and bridges.
As of March 14, 2025, Edwards says North Carolina reports spending $510 million on Helene recovery, and receiving $84 million in reimbursements through FEMA’s RAPID Reimbursement program.
However, the report states that North Carolina’s Department of Transportation continues to report 150 road closures, 100 of which are closed to all traffic. Out of 9,400 damaged sites about one-third “remain untouched” while one-third is completed and one-third is under construction.
Edwards recommends FEMA changes to be enacted through Executive Orders
Five executive orders in the report are specific recommendations for FEMA reform to “improve NC Recovery.” This includes enhancing technological capabilities and updating information technology systems, as well as launching a universal application process that would work across FEMA, SBA, HUD, USDA, and other federal entities in the Disaster Survivors Fairness Act.
The report also included seven additional requests that fall outside of requests for proclamations or executive orders. This includes a request to increase FEMA transparency, streamline FEMA applications and grant the State of North Carolina the authority to waive Environmental Historic Preservation (EHP) requirements to expedite disaster recovery projects.
The report has been submitted to the White House and the FEMA taskforce, of which Edwards is a member.