On April 7, 2026, United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin visited Western North Carolina to discuss progress in disaster relief after Tropical Storm Helene and Hurricane Florence. In Lake Lure, he received a briefing on emergency management and then met residents of Chimney Rock and Mayor Peter O’Leary to talk about ongoing relief efforts. He hosted a roundtable that included U.S. Senator Ted Budd, Representatives Chuck Edwards and Tim Moore, FEMA Administrator Karen Evans, first responders and other local leaders. Earlier this week President Donald J. Trump, Secretary Mullin, and FEMA announced an additional $103 million for North Carolina recovery. On Monday, FEMA awarded more than $26 million to eliminate flood risks by purchasing 75 damaged residential properties in Henderson, Polk, and Yancey counties. Total FEMA assistance to the state exceeds $5.4 billion, with nearly $564.2 million in grants already paid to survivors.
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