Two years ago, Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, taking more than 100 lives and causing an estimated $60 billion in damage. One of the top priorities at the NC Department of Environmental Quality has been helping communities recover and rebuild to make communities more resilient and safer when facing future disasters.
DEQ has awarded more than $1 billion in grants and loans in the past two years to repair or replace drinking water and wastewater treatment plants, repair or remove high-hazard dams, build flood resiliency projects in the French Broad River Basin, repair and expand recycling centers, remove tons of debris choking rivers and streams, and install solar and battery-powered microgrids that will provide power when electricity is out. Immediately after the storm, DEQ’s Marine Patrol Swift Water Rescue Team assisted with rescues and delivery of supplies and numerous divisions staffed the North Carolina Emergency Operations Center to help coordinate response activities. The Department also partnered with the Environmental Protection Agency’s mobile labs to test 1,558 private wells for bacteria and worked with EPA to bring more than 160 water systems back online.
“For the past two years, DEQ staff has worked side by side with Western North Carolina communities to rebuild in a way that will help them better withstand future disasters,” said DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson. “While we have accomplished a lot, in many ways the work is just beginning. We will continue to stand by our fellow North Carolinians in the months and years ahead.”
On its Hurricane Helene Recovery website, DEQ tells the story of how the Department has worked with communities to rebuild infrastructure and better protect homes and businesses from flooding, while building in resiliency against future storms. Visitors can also find where DEQ funds have been awarded, opportunities that are still available for recovery, as well as guidance and other resources.
Some of the milestones DEQ has accomplished in partnership with nonprofits and Western North Carolina communities to rebuild with resilience include:
- As of July 2026, DEQ had awarded a total of $906 million in state and federal funds to repair and upgrade damaged drinking water, wastewater and septic systems. A key requirement was that each project must strengthen the resilience of the system to withstand more frequent and severe flooding. The Department awarded funds to projects in 28 counties and guided many communities through the funding process.
- DEQ awarded two grants, $10 million and $2 million, respectively, to remove stream debris and restore streambanks. As of September 2026, more than 1,320 tons of debris had been removed from streams in 16 counties.
- DEQ has funded repair and weatherization of 385 homes through its $10 million Home Repair Weatherization Readiness Program.
- The Flood Resiliency Blueprint has awarded more than $10 million to 19 projects in the French Broad River Basin for long-term flood resilience, including projects to create more floodwater storage, restore and reconnect floodplains, and relocate facilities and infrastructure out of harm’s way.
- DEQ awarded $25 million in grants to local governments to replace or improve recycling infrastructure damaged by the storm and to build resilient convenience centers and transfer stations.
- DEQ awarded $5 million to install permanent microgrids across six counties that will provide power in the wake of future weather disasters. Up to 24 stationary microgrids will be installed and two mobile microgrid hubs will serve the entire state.
- DEQ awarded two $1 million grants to convert downed trees into biochar to reduce wildfire risks and produce a byproduct that enriches agricultural land with essential nutrients.
- DEQ mapped 13,090 landslides, which will be used to create a landslide early warning system. The General Assembly allocated another $1 million to DEQ this year to continue mapping landslides that threaten critical infrastructure.
- DEQ awarded $10 million in state funding to address issues with nine high-hazard dams, the failure of which would risk life and property downstream. The General Assembly has allocated another $20 million for repairs at 12 dams.
For more information on DEQ’s response and recovery to Hurricane Helene during the past two years, visit Hurricane Helene Recovery | NC DEQ.