North Carolina awards $270M to rebuild flood-resilient water systems after Hurricane Helene

North Carolina officials announced $270 million in funding to repair and strengthen water, wastewater and septic systems damaged by Hurricane Helene, with a focus on long-term flood resilience. The awards, administered by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), will support 58 projects across 26 western North Carolina counties.

The funding comes from the 2025 State Revolving Fund Supplemental Appropriations for Hurricanes Helene and Milton and the Hawai‘i Wildfires, making North Carolina the first Helene-impacted state to issue awards from the program. A key eligibility requirement is that each project must improve resilience to future flooding.

“Hurricane Helene laid bare North Carolina’s need to upgrade its water infrastructure,” said Governor Josh Stein in a press release. “I applaud the Department of Environmental Quality’s quick work to award this funding faster than any other Helene-impacted state. Making these investments today makes us more resilient in the face of future disasters.”

Projects include drinking water and wastewater system upgrades, sewer extensions to replace failing septic systems, regional septic system repairs, and system interconnections to improve reliability during extreme weather events. Several communities will receive funding for both drinking water and wastewater resiliency improvements.

“Safe drinking water and healthy waterways are basic necessities for health and quality of life,” said DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson in a press release. “Hurricane Helene inflicted serious damage to water systems, imperiling water supplies throughout our mountain communities. These awards will help communities rebuild to ensure that systems are less vulnerable to future flooding.”

Funding was approved by the State Water Infrastructure Authority at its Dec. 10 meeting. Applications for additional Helene-related State Revolving Fund assistance will remain open through March 2, 2026, with future awards scheduled for review in early 2026.