RALEIGH — Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin made his first official trip as secretary on April 8 when he visited Lake Lure and Chimney Rock Village, areas hit hard by Hurricane Helene.
During the visit, Mullin underscored the Trump administration’s commitment by noting the recent award of $130 million for recovery and mitigation, which includes the $26 million buyout funding along with $103 million in public assistance announced earlier for rebuilding efforts in western North Carolina.
“Yesterday, I had the opportunity to meet the fearless state and local leaders of Western North Carolina who are rebuilding their communities after the devastation of Hurricane Helene,” Mullin said in both a post on X and in a press release. “I saw firsthand hurricane damage still present and will be making sure FEMA relief continues to help Americans rebuild their homes and communities. I am humbled and honored to serve the citizens of our great Homeland.”
Mullin toured recovery sites, including ongoing marina and roadway repairs in Lake Lure and a roundtable in Chimney Rock, where he emphasized the buyout program as “an important first step to help families move forward and reduce future flood risk.”
He said he is committed to cutting red tape and expediting long-term recovery in partnership with federal, state and local officials. Hurricane Helene’s impact and recovery needs have been estimated at close to $60 billion.
Mullin also met with Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-Flat Rock), Rep. Richard Hudson (R-Southern Pines), and state and local leaders to coordinate additional support.
On social media, Hudson commented he was “grateful” to see Mullin in North Carolina.
“This week’s $129 million, on top of $8.75 billion already secured, is a positive step to keep clearing debris, rebuilding roads and strengthen flood protections,” Hudson said.
Hudson also commended Mullin “for acting so quickly and being on the ground with our communities and look forward to further improvements for Western NC.”
Before Mullin’s visit, North Carolina Congressional Republicans sent him a letter asking for an immediate review of outstanding recovery funds due to the state. Additionally, lawmakers on the Subcommittee on Hurricane Response and Recovery heard from recovery officials about slow gains in house building as well as continued funding gaps.
Ahead of Mullin visiting the state, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced an award of more than $26 million through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to buy out 75 severely flood- and landslide-damaged residential properties in Henderson, Polk and Yancey counties.
According to an April 6 press release, the funding will acquire and demolish the homes — 53 in Yancey County, 18 in Henderson County and 4 in Polk County — returning the land to open space to reduce future flood risk and provide relief to affected homeowners. The release also states FEMA is reimbursing these costs at a 75% federal share.
The announcement builds on $66 million in hazard mitigation funding announced in March, which included more than $47 million for 150 property buyouts.
To date, FEMA has provided more than $5 billion in total support for the state’s Hurricane Helene recovery. That total includes $1.4 billion for 2,300 public recovery projects and $564.2 million in individual assistance to roughly 161,000 families, plus other mitigation funding.
On the state level, $4 million in grants to fund 11 local parks and recreation projects was released April 9. The grants come from the Helene Recovery Fund for the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, which is funded by the legislature’s Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 Part II.
Grantees include:
- $117,716 — Town of Seven Devils, Otter Falls Trail
- $204,201 — Town of Banner Elk, Tate-Evans Park
- $284,368 — Buncombe County, French Broad River boat launches
- $300,000 — Ashe County, Family Central Park
- $307,274 — Town of Montreat, Flat Creek
- $345,000 — City of Asheville, Azalea Park
- $353,250 — Town of Beech Mountain, Shane Park
- $361,762 — City of Hendersonville, Sullivan Park
- $403,804 — Town of Canton, Sorrells Street Park
- $494,000 — Watauga County, Cove Creek Park
- $987,500 — Avery County, Hodge Turbyfill Fields
