Gov. Stein promises intensive storm relief measures
Stein inauguration: Josh Stein was elected North Carolina’s governor last November and was sworn in earlier this month. X photo
Gov. Josh Stein has made it clear that he intends on prioritizing Hurricane Helene relief in Western North Carolina.
Shortly after being sworn in on Jan. 1, Stein issued six executive orders meant to expedite aid to the still-devastated region where some have complained about a slow response, especially when it comes to housing amid frigid temperatures.
Stein enters office following the end of fellow Democrat Roy Cooper’s second term. Stein, the former attorney general, has focused on storm recovery, even creating a special team made up of experts and former staffers.
In his brief inaugural address from the State Capitol on Jan. 11, Stein focused heavily on recovery efforts, invoking often how North Carolinians’ hardiness has been crucial during this tough time. He called attention to the courage of everyday citizens, also recalling a few brave acts in the face of danger over the last couple centuries.
“Tragedy is not new to our state, but neither is goodness, neither is resilience,” Stein said.
“Hurricane Helene brought unprecedented devastation, heartbreaking loss of life, destruction of homes and businesses and ruination of critical infrastructure, but it also revealed our state’s character,” he later added.
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Stein mentioned a few specific people who went above and beyond, putting others first amid disaster and uncertainty. One was Terryll Evans, who owns the radio station WPTL, based out of Canton.
“[She] hardly left her post so she could broadcast essential information to the desperate people of Haywood County,” Stein said.
Stein also mentioned a few specific areas where he hopes to see improvement on the government’s end when it comes to storm relief efforts.
“We must fast-track getting people back into their homes as soon as possible,” he said, adding that he wants to help small business owners while also rebuilding water systems, roads, bridges and dams so they are “resilient” and can withstand future natural disasters.
The executive order Stein mentioned specifically was the one that allows people to put an RV on their own property to provide temporary housing.
During a brief press conference at Canton’s new Champion Credit Union headquarters, Stein further discussed flood relief efforts, mentioning his executive order that would expedite the delivery of 1,000 “temporary transitional trailers” that can be placed on people’s property. He encouraged people who can put those shelters on their own property while their homes are repaired or rebuilt to take advantage of the opportunity.
“When we know folks are on their own property, the reconstruction, the redevelopment, that can happen earlier,” he said.
Stein added that people who need assistance should reach out to FEMA, noting that there are programs that haven’t yet been formed at the state level that will help with costs associated with housing, such as first months’ rents.
“If you’ve been displaced because of the storm, your house was damaged or destroyed and it’s not yet habitable, you are entitled to housing assistance… some of those folks will raise their hand and say, ‘I don’t need this anymore.’ But if anyone in Western North Carolina is not in that situation, but they still need housing because their house is uninhabitable, they are entitled to that continued assistance by FEMA. We want them to apply for that.”
Stein is likely to face some degree of resistance from the Republican-dominated General Assembly. While GOP House and Senate members often stood against Cooper, in his inaugural address, Stein ultimately called on legislators to work with him on a bipartisan basis to do what’s best for the state, especially when it comes to storm recovery.
“We have real problems to solve, and we don’t have time to settle petty political scores or fight divisive culture wars,” he said. “I want to stand with you as we fight for our people, not with each other. No party has all the answers. Good ideas do not come with party labels. When we work together, we are stronger, and there is no limit to what we can accomplish for the good of the state.”
