Recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene continue after the record-breaking storm brought high winds, catastrophic flooding, and mudslides to regions across Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The initial trickle of assistance to impacted areas has broadened in the weeks after the disaster, rendering some areas hazardous and inaccessible to aid. Significant recovery work still lies ahead and will likely focus on infrastructure restoration and the removal of debris from flood waters and destroyed homes.
With more than a month having passed since Hurricane Helene struck, survivors are aware of the extensive recovery road ahead. Officials of Pinellas County, North Carolina, reported that debris pickup is a “major operation that will take months to complete.” Asheville has restored its water system but does not expect the water to be drinkable without further treatment until mid-December. While some areas, such as the University of North Carolina Asheville campus, have regained access to clean water through the construction of temporary water treatment facilities, most of Asheville is still under a “boil water” advisory.
Thoughts have also turned to the longer-term impact of the storm. Much of the region is facing an ongoing affordable housing crisis, which has only been exacerbated by the disaster. Housing prices have soared, and the availability of affordable rental units has dwindled, leaving many households vulnerable to displacement. In response, advocates, including members of NLIHC’s Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition (DHRC), have been vocal in urging state and local leaders to implement an eviction moratorium to prevent further displacement and curb rising rental prices. During an Asheville City Council meeting on November 12, city leaders drew attention to their continuing requests to the North Carolina government to institute a statewide moratorium and allocate $500,000 in emergency rental assistance to the city’s low-income renters. However, renters outside of Asheville could face delays receiving the help they need.
At the federal level, Congress will debate making available emergency supplemental funding for different aspects of disaster response, including HUD’s long-term disaster recovery program. If included in the bill, these funds could be utilized for rental assistance across the impacted region and prevent further displacement in areas at risk of population loss due to disaster damage. The DHRC is working with partners on the ground and will continue to push for the maximum funding for housing-related recovery programs.
Find more out about the DHRC and HUD’s long-term recovery programs here.