On Friday, Gov. Josh Stein signed HB 1012, Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 – Part II, at the reopening of Chimney Rock State Park in western North Carolina.
It comes a day after the General Assembly sent the bill to the governor.
The funding is a bipartisan package that allocates $700 million for Hurricane Helene relief. The legislation marks the fifth major recovery package passed since Helene devastated parts of the state last fall.
The legislation formally extends the Hurricane Helene State of Emergency through October 1. Combined with prior efforts totaling more than $1.4 billion, North Carolina’s funding for Helene-related relief now exceeds $2.1 billion.
Key appropriations include:
- $270M allocated from DOT budget specifically toward Helene WNC repairs
- $70M to continue pulling down critical federal disaster recovery funding
- $75M towards construction and reimbursement of privately owned roads and bridges
- $65M towards repair and reconstruction of damaged schools
- $50M in additional no-interest loans for impacted units of local government
- $70M in funding for local government capital repairs
- $25M to upgrade and enhance regional airports to support disaster responses
- $18M to invest in fire stations across WNC to prepare for a high-risk fire season
- $18M in additional funding to support our frontline volunteer organizations
- $16M in infrastructure investments to support redevelopment in Canton, NC
- $12.25M to repair damaged state park facilities and expedite reopening
- $10M to support impacted public and private colleges and universities in the region
- $8M to support apple growers in Western NC
The package also includes targeted funds for landslide mapping, dam safety improvements, damaged rail line repairs, and renewed tourism promotion.
At the reopening, Stein, a Democrat, announced “Rediscover the Unforgettable,” a new tourism initiative to bring more visitors back to western North Carolina.
“Nine months ago, Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina’s economy. Let’s make sure our neighbors know we haven’t forgotten them,” Stein said in a press release. “We can support the region’s recovery just by showing up. If you’re planning your summer vacation or a weekend getaway, make sure to experience something that makes western North Carolina unforgettable. And that includes beautiful Chimney Rock State Park.”
Hurricane Helene took a toll on Chimney Rock with the loss of key roads, bridges, and trails, making Chimney Rock State Park inaccessible. The park is now open on a limited basis: from Fridays to Mondays to visitors who make advance reservations. While the village of Chimney Rock has not yet officially reopened, several local businesses are open and welcoming tourists.
Musician and western North Carolina native Eric Church can be heard in a new video highlighting the tourism initiative.
I’m proud to be from Western North Carolina. It’s where I was born, it’s where my soul finds rest,” Church said in the press release. “Our family has lived here for generations, and it has become a part of the fabric that has made me the man that I am now. It’s an honor to be the voice that invites more people to discover and visit a place we love.”
Stein said he is continuing to ask the Trump administration and Congress to send $19 billion to North Carolina for disaster relief—$11.5 billion in new appropriations and $7.5 billion in allocations from previous appropriations.
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