Congressman Pat Harrigan of North Carolina’s 10th District has issued a statement marking one year since Hurricane Helene struck Western North Carolina. The hurricane, which hit in September 2024, resulted in more than 100 deaths, displaced thousands of families, and caused damage estimated at over $60 billion. It was the deadliest storm to affect the mainland United States since Hurricane Katrina.
In his statement, Harrigan said, “One year ago, Hurricane Helene struck Western North Carolina with historic force—claiming more than 100 lives, displacing thousands of families, and causing over $60 billion in damage. It was the deadliest storm to hit the mainland United States since Katrina, and it left scars on our communities that will never be forgotten.”
He continued by acknowledging local efforts: “In the days that followed, it was neighbors, churches, and volunteers who stepped in first. They delivered meals on horseback, cleared debris, and checked on the vulnerable when Washington bureaucrats were missing in action. The resilience of Western North Carolina proved stronger than the storm itself.”
Harrigan noted progress made in recovery efforts during the past year. He cited increased federal support: “Since then, our fight for resources has forced real progress. FEMA has accelerated public assistance. The EPA has delivered nearly $750 million to the state to administer recovery programs. HUD has committed $1.6 billion in long-term community development funds. These victories belong to the people who refused to be forgotten, and they mark a turning point in the recovery.”
The congressman concluded with remarks about ongoing recovery: “Helene was a one-in-a-thousand-year disaster, but the story of the past year is not one of destruction—it is one of endurance. Towns have reopened, businesses are rebuilding, and families are beginning to find a new normal. Western North Carolina is rising from the wreckage, and I will not stop fighting until every community is made whole again,” said Congressman Harrigan.
Pat Harrigan won his seat representing North Carolina’s 10th Congressional District by defeating Ralph R. Scott Jr., receiving 57.5% of votes compared to Scott’s 38.2%.
