Press Releases

Today, Governor Roy Cooper traveled to Western North Carolina where he was joined by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, NCDOT Secretary Joey Hopkins, NCDPS Secretary Eddie Buffaloe, NCDHHS Secretary Kody Kinsley, and NC Emergency Management Officials to assess storm damage and ongoing response efforts to Hurricane Helene.

President Biden has granted Governor Roy Cooper’s request for a Federal Major Disaster Declaration for Tropical Storm Helene providing immediate federal help for 25 North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Governor Roy Cooper has requested a Major Disaster Declaration from the federal government for North Carolina for 38 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians for federal Public Assistance and Individual Assistance in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene.

Search and rescue operations remain underway in communities across Western North Carolina and supplies are being brought into the region by air following devastating impacts from Tropical Storm Helene. More than 200 people have been rescued from flood waters in North Carolina following Helene’s torrential rains.

Rescue and recovery operations continue to take place in western North Carolina as resources and aid are brought into the region. While North Carolina Emergency Management officials are working around the clock to support local efforts and coordinate emergency supply drop-offs, communication problems persist in the region and North Carolinians are urged to not travel to the area.

Governor Roy Cooper and state leaders continue to urge North Carolina residents to monitor dangerous conditions from Hurricane Helene, stay off roads in the western part of the state except in cases of emergency and listen to local officials.

Governor Roy Cooper and state leaders urged North Carolinians today to prepare for life-threatening flooding as well as high winds, tornadoes and heavy rain as Hurricane Helene passes through the state.

Governor Roy Cooper declared a State of Emergency ahead of Hurricane Helene as North Carolina prepares for severe weather impacts that could threaten life and property across North Carolina through Saturday morning.

Due to recent storm damage and flooding in coastal communities, the planned public Sept. 20 meeting of the state Citizen Advisory Committee for Community Development Block Grant - Mitigation funding will be virtual only.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Eight has caused significant flooding and impacts to public and private property and critical infrastructure including roads and bridges. The storm dropped over 18 inches of rain in less than a day in some locations. This declaration makes additional assistance available to Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus and New Hanover counties.