Hurricane Helene caused a record $53 billion in damages and recovery needs in western North Carolina. The figure surpasses the previous $17 billion record set by Hurricane Florence in 2018, according to Governor Roy Cooper's administration. Cooper called the storm the deadliest and most damaging in the state’s history, with ninety-six reported deaths and extensive damage to infrastructure. Cooper has requested over $3 billion from the General Assembly for repairs, with about $13 billion expected from federal assistance.
