Stein marks 100th day in office with visit to western NC

WESTERN N.C. — Governor Josh Stein spent his 100th day in office visiting western North Carolina.

Eric Church breaks ground on 40 new homes for Helene survivors

Stein visited Asheville, one of the areas Helene tore through last fall, causing billions of dollars in damage.

He met with the state’s association of county commissioners and discussed ongoing recovery efforts.

Stretch of I-40 damaged during Helene getting ready to reopen

Stein focused on the progress being made across western N.C. He believes the federal government could provide more resources, saying the state doesn’t have the financial stability to continue recovery on its own.

His request for $19 billion in relief funds remains in flux.

“There has been support from the federal government, there has been support from the state government, so I do not want to imply they have done nothing,” Stein said Friday.

He added, “The scale of the need is so vast, when you have a $60 billion storm, it’s going to take substantial investment. The state needs to step up and the federal government needs to continue to step up.”

Stein said 1,300 roads have reopened and 97 percent of wastewater systems have been restored.

Last month, the governor visited Yancey County to meet with Helene survivors and announce the opening of Interstate 40, reconnecting N.C. and Tennessee.

As he met with Stein, Yancey County Sheriff Shane Hilliard said his mom lost her home during the storm. Four of her neighbors died from flash flooding.

Sheriff Hilliard showed Stein where the bridge near his mom’s home used to be. His mother, Susie Hilliard, is rebuilding and got to speak to the governor.

“It means a lot that he cares enough to come out and see the devastation,” Susie Hilliard said. “Just try to help us to get our life back.”

Stein also went to Micaville Elementary School in Burnsville, a school that has not yet reopened because it was damaged in the storm. The 200 children who go there must now go to different schools.

“A lot of my families are making mortgage payments on homes that are not standing,” said former principal Melanie Bennett. “So they’re having to work and work extra hours just to provide for their families to make this mortgage payment.”

VIDEO: Popular Morganton attraction washed out by Helene partially reopens