For the past year, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has focused on supporting recovery and rebuilding efforts in western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. The agency reports that staff from nearly every division have contributed significant time to these efforts, securing over $800 million in federal and state funding. Of this amount, nearly $200 million has been distributed through grants and loans to local governments, businesses, and nonprofits.
“Hurricane Helene unleashed unprecedented devastation to the natural environment and essential infrastructure in western North Carolina,” said DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson. “The DEQ team has worked tirelessly to help mountain communities recover and rebuild, and we will continue in the months and years ahead to support debris cleanup, environmental restoration, and the development of resilient water and energy infrastructure.”
DEQ is introducing a new Hurricane Helene webpage with information on funding opportunities, ongoing projects in the region, as well as public guidance and resources.
In response to the hurricane, several emergency measures were implemented. The Division of Marine Fisheries’ Marine Patrol Swift Water Rescue Team sent 24 officers on four deployments over 16 days for search-and-rescue operations and supply delivery. Approximately 180 public drinking water systems were closed in early October; some remain without power. Another 40 systems were under boil water advisories pending bacteriological test results. DEQ staff provided technical assistance to restore these systems.
The agency collaborated with the Environmental Protection Agency’s mobile labs to sample bacteria from more than 1,500 private wells in Buncombe and Watauga counties. Around 100 wastewater plants experienced closures or partial operation due to damage or power loss; DEQ provided onsite support for repairs.
DEQ’s dam safety program used an automated notification system called DamWatch during the storm to monitor overtopping risks at dams. After the storm ended, all high hazard dams in affected areas were inspected; most sustained minor damage except for one breach at Lake Craig Dam on the Swannanoa River.
Within hours after Hurricane Helene passed, DEQ began tracking landslide damage across the region—mapping a total of 2,579 landslides so far—to inform county planners and emergency services about future risks. Air quality monitoring was also conducted by deploying temporary sensors with support from local agencies; data gathered was used during wildfire events in March 2025 but did not indicate general air quality decline outside those periods.
Staff also sampled streams for E. coli contamination and monitored overall water quality. Multiple divisions staffed the state’s Emergency Operations Center around-the-clock before and after the storm for coordination purposes.
To aid recovery, DEQ coordinated debris cleanup with other government agencies, published removal guidelines for contractors and organizations, removed hazardous materials such as propane tanks from over 1,100 locations, supported disposal of toxic waste materials totaling more than two tons, activated temporary debris staging sites—including approving over 130 new ones—and plans to allocate more than $61 million from EPA funds toward further cleanup efforts.
The Viable Utility Program is engaging directly with towns across western North Carolina to assess water infrastructure needs by providing application assistance and project tracking among other services.
In terms of long-term resiliency investments, DEQ is distributing $686 million from EPA funds for repairs or upgrades of drinking water, wastewater, and septic systems—with each project required to enhance resilience against future floods. Fourteen projects totaling $86 million have already been approved as part of this effort.
Additional grants include $10 million awarded to MountainTrue for stream debris cleanup work over an estimated 125 miles; $2 million granted to Haywood Waterways Association for streambank restoration; $75 million administered as bridge loans for immediate infrastructure repair needs; $7 million provided as technical assistance grants; priority given during upcoming funding rounds for applicants from 16 counties; $10 million allocated through home repair programs targeting weatherization readiness (with more than half going specifically to Western Piedmont Council of Governments); continued mapping of landslides using state-allocated funds; financial support offered for dam repairs starting this fall; bridge loans made available for underground storage tank testing/repairs; microgrid installation grants totaling $5 million intended to improve access to emergency power following disasters.
Energy Saver North Carolina modified its approach post-Helene by prioritizing energy efficiency upgrades in affected areas—over a thousand applications have been submitted by residents seeking rebates so far. The program aims at reducing household energy demand through insulation improvements or appliance replacements while improving comfort levels inside homes.
A separate grant supports biochar production by converting downed trees—a process expected both to reduce wildfire risk through active debris removal while generating soil-enhancing byproducts useful in agriculture.
DEQ states it will maintain its focus on recovery activities related to Hurricane Helene as additional projects are launched throughout coming months.
