The Biden administration has announced the allocation of $100 million to assist the North Carolina Department of Transportation with emergency repairs following the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene. The funding aims to address immediate damage to roads and bridges, according to a press release on Saturday.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of swift action, stating, "We are working closely with North Carolina to ensure there is no delay in repairing and reopening roads, as well as restoring critical routes." He added that the Biden-Harris administration is committed to supporting North Carolina throughout the recovery process and that additional federal resources would follow.
Buttigieg also confirmed via a post on the social media platform X that the Department of Transportation had approved North Carolina’s request for assistance, promising continued support as the administration collaborates with state and local communities on recovery efforts.
The announcement coincides with Vice President Kamala Harris’s visit to Charlotte, where she met with North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. Earlier in the week, President Biden assessed the damage by helicopter and commended bipartisan efforts in both North and South Carolina.
Hurricane Helene, which has devastated several Southeastern states, has claimed at least 133 lives, according to NewsNation. In western North Carolina, many residents remain stranded due to washed-out roads and power outages. White House Homeland Security Adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall noted earlier this week that approximately 600 people were unaccounted for, with fears that some may have perished.
Additionally, on Friday, Buttigieg responded to false claims made by tech billionaire Elon Musk regarding federal airspace restrictions, clarifying that the FAA was not blocking legitimate rescue and recovery flights. He urged Musk to contact him directly if issues were encountered.
NewsNation, which reported on the hurricane’s toll, is owned by Nexstar Media Group, the parent company of *The Hill*.
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