Overview

• The Federal Highway Administration awarded $1.15 billion to NCDOT for Helene repairs, the largest single ER allocation to a state, bringing total USDOT ER support to nearly $2 billion.
• Gov. Josh Stein’s team is briefing lawmakers on a new $13.5 billion congressional request and an additional $6 billion sought from federal agencies to advance housing, infrastructure and local government recovery.
• Officials report 96% of water systems online, 97% of state‑maintained roads reopened and all impacted state parks at least partially open, with I‑40 now carrying two lanes as long‑term repairs continue.
• The state pegs Helene’s damage at about $59.62 billion, with roughly $44.71 billion still unfunded; FEMA approvals total about $1.3 billion, and state recovery leaders cite new DHS sign‑off requirements as slowing disbursements.
• Lawmakers passed a mini‑budget Tuesday to bolster disaster relief and infrastructure work as crews continue large‑scale debris removal measured at about 15 million cubic yards.