FEMA News and Reporting Coverage | WRAL

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Grinchy FEMA needs a change of heart

Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025-- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist

Western NC counites impacted by Hurricane Helene say they are running out of money waiting on FEMA

Some towns in Western North Carolina have spent more on disaster cleanup than they make in an entire year, and now some say they're running out of money. Local leaders say FEMA still hasn't delivered on millions in promised aid, forcing small governments to drain their reserves.

'The math is not compatible': FEMA delays push NC counties to the brink

Western North Carolina counties spent tens of millions on Helene recovery, often more than their entire annual budgets, while FEMA delays keep promised funds out of reach.

AG Jeff Jackson pushes for more FEMA funding for NC

Attorney General Jeff Jackson visited Fayetteville on Tuesday highlighting one of the several projects canceled by FEMA. The city lost more than $15 million to replace four bridges, and the state as a whole lost more than 200 million dollars in FEMA funding earlier this year.

AG Jeff Jackson highlights the need for more funding in Fayetteville visit

On Tuesday, Attorney General Jeff Jackson visited Fayetteville highlighting a project canceled by FEMA. The city lost more than $15 million to replace four bridges, and the state as a whole lost more than $200 million in funding.

DRAUGHON DRAWS: North Carolina's hurricane survival kit

Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025-- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist

Kristi Noem fast-tracked millions in disaster aid to Florida tourist attraction after campaign donor intervened

The DHS chief has been widely criticized for slowing down FEMA's response after natural disasters. Texts and emails obtained by ProPublica point to an effective way to get help faster: have one of Noem's big donors make the ask.

NC leaders to speak about impact of FEMA cuts on Helene recovery

North Carolina leaders are set to meet Thursday to advocate for increased federal recovery funding nearly a year after Hurricane Helene caused $60 billion in damage.

North Carolina leaders set to push for Helene recovery funding in meeting Thursday

North Carolina leaders are set to meet Thursday to advocate for increased federal recovery funding nearly a year after Hurricane Helene caused $60 billion in damage.

FEMA 'our biggest obstacle' as Helene recovery drags on, NC disaster leaders tell lawmakers

The roughly 9% of Helene damage costs covered by the federal government so far for North Carolina pales in comparison to other large storms including Hurricanes Katrina, Maria and Sandy, when the federal government paid for more than 70% of those costs, disaster recovery leaders say.

Will Doran and Jack Hagel, WRAL News

Helene survivor will always remember storm - why she feels forgotten by lawmakers

Claudette Childs is a lifelong resident of Pensacola, a tiny community in Yancey County. After living through the destruction and loss of life from Hurricane Helene, Childs and others like her are feeling abandoned by the federal and state governments.

Eric Miller, WRAL anchor/reporter

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Gov. Stein seeks more help after Helene

Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025-- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist

Governor Josh Stein expected to push for more federal Helene recovery funding on Monday

The governor announced on Sunday he has a news conference planned in Western North Carolina asking federal agencies to release already-approved funds for Helene relief.

Governor Stein expected to ask for federal release of Hurricane Helene relief funds in NC on Monday

Governor Josh Stein is set to advocate for increased federal funding for Hurricane Helene recovery at a news conference in Western North Carolina.

Trump administration approves $32M for Chantal recovery

The approval comes a little more than a month after Gov. Josh Stein asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency for a public assistance disaster declaration to increase the federal relief dollars.

WRAL News staff reports

'Shouldn't have to fight your own government': Stein criticizes FEMA over funding delays

Putting aside partisan differences: After U.S. Sen. Ted Budd put pressure on FEMA over western North Carolina aid for Hurricane Helene, Gov. Josh Stein is heaping on the praise.

Cristin Severance and Will Doran, WRAL News

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Hurricane relief: Circling the drain?

Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025-- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist

New report highlights FEMA's role in NC recovery

A new study shows North Carolina relies on FEMA money more than most states. WRAL News looks at the potential fallout with critical federal funding in jeopardy.

Federal disaster aid at risk as North Carolina faces growing recovery costs

North Carolina ranks 12th in FEMA reliance, receiving $2.7B in aid since 2022, as Helene recovery continues and billion-dollar disasters surge nationwide.

After Erin, how prepared is North Carolina to handle more hurricanes in 2025?

North Carolina's disaster savings fund has dropped from $700 million to $100 million this year, raising questions about preparedness amid funding delays by state and federal officials.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

NC waiting on FEMA funds for Helene as Erin threatens

The federal government has been holding up hundreds of millions of dollars in Hurricane Helene aid for North Carolina, while also running behind schedule on millions more in disaster preparedness grants. Now funds are flowing -- slowly, records obtained by WRAL show.

FEMA approves some Helene funding for NC, but Stein says millions more are being held up

The federal government has been holding up hundreds of millions of dollars in Hurricane Helene aid for North Carolina, while also running behind schedule on millions more in disaster preparedness grants. Now funds are flowing -- slowly, records obtained by WRAL show.

FEMA approves some Helene funding for NC, but Stein says millions more are being held up

The federal government has been holding up hundreds of millions of dollars in Hurricane Helene aid for North Carolina, while also running behind schedule on millions more in disaster preparedness grants. Now funds are flowing -- slowly, records obtained by WRAL show.

Will Doran and Ashley Rowe, WRAL News

Stein requests federal disaster declaration to speed recovery from Tropical Storm Chantal

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein said local governments are facing tens of millions of dollars in damages from the storm, which killed at least six people in central North Carolina last month.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

FEMA denials hurting Helene recovery efforts, NC officials tell state lawmakers

The federal government has paid for just 6% of the estimated cost of North Carolina's Hurricane Helene recovery, raising concerns about how much local communities will have to end up paying, state officials told lawmakers.

Will Doran