WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Transportation on Saturday released $100 million in emergency funding to help North Carolina rebuild roads and bridges damaged by Helen.
“We are providing this initial funding to ensure there is no delay in repairing and reopening roads and reestablishing critical routes,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. “The Biden-Harris Administration will work with North Carolina every step of the way, and today’s emergency funding will be followed by additional federal funding to help restore and safely operate our transportation network.”
The storm caused widespread flooding, destroyed several towns, and killed at least 229 people. CBS News has confirmed that 116 people have died in North Carolina. More than 8 inches of rain fell in the mountains of western North Carolina, with some areas receiving more than a foot of rain.
Hundreds of roads across western North Carolina remain closed, leading to increased air traffic as teams search the area by air for survivors. Since the storm passed, air traffic in western North Carolina has increased by 300% due to relief efforts by the Federal Aviation Administration and the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
Landslides shut down Interstate 40 and other highways in North Carolina, with about 400 roads closed due to damage from Helen. Interstate 40 was damaged in several places, according to the Department of Transportation.
Alvin Stiles’ home in Morganton, North Carolina, was destroyed and Stiles is currently sleeping in a tent. Floodwaters robbed him of everything except his faith in humanity.
“I had no idea there were so many people who cared about people as much as they cared about us here today and yesterday. It was just overwhelming,” Stiles told CBS News on Saturday. spoke.
CBS News was held at Asheville High School on Saturday and a hot breakfast was served. The person in need and the person helping to meet that need were often the same.
“There’s no reason to bow down. God is still working. I’m happy to be here,” Diane Fair told CBS News.
President Biden visited the Carolinas on Wednesday, flying from Greenville, South Carolina, to Asheville, North Carolina, to survey flood damage. Biden announced that the federal government would cover “100%” of the cost of all debris removal and emergency protective measures in North Carolina for six months.
The Department of Transportation said these relief funds will allow the North Carolina Department of Transportation to act more quickly to fund eligible repairs to damaged facilities.
Li Cohen, Kathryn Watson and Janet Shamlian contributed to this report.
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