As temperatures drop in the mountains of North Carolina, Governor Josh Stein urges the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to keep hotels open longer for families who lost their homes to Hurricane Helene.
Key Facts:
– Governor Stein is pushing FEMA to extend its Transitional Sheltering Assistance program.
– Thousands of families were due to lose temporary hotel rooms after January 10.
– Western North Carolina is bracing for winter storms that may disrupt power lines and roads.
– FEMA announced a short extension through Tuesday.
– Over 5,600 households still rely on these shelter programs.
The Rest of The Story:
Hurricane Helene made landfall in September, causing extensive damage across parts of North Carolina.
While some families have found permanent housing, many continue to depend on FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance program to keep a roof over their heads.
That program had been set to end on Friday and later Saturday, but winter weather conditions prompted Stein to ask for another extension.
Stein said his main goal is to ensure people stay safe and warm, especially in the mountainous regions where roads can become treacherous.
The governor has pledged to use “every resource” to help displaced residents who cannot return to their original homes due to property damage or ongoing repairs.
State officials say they are working with local agencies to prevent any families from becoming stranded in the cold.
FEMA’s disaster recovery centers in the area will be closed until after Monday due to dangerous weather conditions.
This closure means fewer opportunities for face-to-face assistance.
Still, the agency recommends that people call the FEMA helpline at 1-800-621-3362 if they need additional support or have questions about eligibility.
For now, the outlook remains uncertain.
Many families worry about what comes next if hotel rooms are no longer subsidized and winter storms continue to batter the region.
With the clock ticking on emergency resources, Gov. Stein and federal agencies are seeking more time and funding to protect the most vulnerable residents until more stable solutions can be arranged.
I am extremely concerned about the expiration of FEMA hotel vouchers for WNC in the face of impending weather.
FEMA has extended vouchers with planned checkouts on January 11 for 24 hours.
My team and I will not hesitate to push FEMA to grant additional extensions as necessary.… https://t.co/2DkVhfwP4w pic.twitter.com/g44FZ8pdYo
— Senator Ted Budd (@SenTedBuddNC) January 10, 2025
The Bottom Line:
Hurricane survivors in North Carolina are still trying to rebuild their lives while facing harsh winter weather.
The state’s request for extra FEMA assistance reflects ongoing recovery challenges.
Unless long-term solutions are found, many storm victims may struggle to find a safe place to stay through the cold season.