SE North Carolina News

Senators from North Carolina and Virginia have called for the rapid distribution of funds to aid public lands affected by Hurricane Helene. Senators Ted Budd, Mark Warner, Thom Tillis, and Tim Kaine addressed their concerns in a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. The funding in question was allocated through the American Relief Act of 2025 (H.R.10545).

The letter highlights the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Helene across North Carolina, Virginia, and other parts of the Southeast. The storm resulted in significant loss of life, destruction of homes and businesses, and severe damage to regional infrastructure. Public lands managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of the Interior (DOI), such as the Blue Ridge Parkway, were notably impacted.

"Public lands managed by USDA and DOI are crucial economic engines for communities throughout western North Carolina and Southwest Virginia," stated the senators. They emphasized that these areas are vital for local economies due to tourism activities.

The Blue Ridge Parkway suffered indefinite closures due to storm damage, impacting trails, historical sites, and recreational areas. The recovery effort is expected to be one of the most substantial infrastructure projects in its history.

Additionally, several national forests including George Washington and Jefferson National Forests in Virginia were severely affected. The Virginia Creeper Trail faced extensive damage with 18 miles obliterated between Damascus and Whitetop.

"The Creeper Trail is the most significant driver of economic activity in Damascus," noted the senators. It supports local businesses significantly through tourism.

The American Relief Act provided $6.4 billion for the U.S. Forest Service and $2.3 billion for the National Park Service aimed at rebuilding efforts on public lands like the Blue Ridge Parkway, Appalachian Trail, and Virginia Creeper Trail.

"We were pleased the American Relief Act included robust funding to address natural disaster-related damage," expressed Budd, Warner, Tillis, and Kaine collectively.

They urged swift action from USDA and DOI to ensure timely reconstruction so that communities relying on these assets can recover effectively from Hurricane Helene's impact.