FEMA Funds in WNC for Disaster Relief Stalled by New "Defend the Spend" Initiative
By Marge | Published 2025-09-17T17:11:59.955+00:00
News
WNC -- September 17, 2025: Background: Following Tropical Storm Helene in late 2024, a major disaster declaration was issued for North Carolina, making the state and its communities eligible for federal assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
This funding was approved by the administration in power at that time. As part of this process, FEMA approves reimbursements for expenses related to disaster recovery.The Current Situation:A $575,734 reimbursement to Madison County has been approved, or "obligated," by FEMA. However, a new process has caused the funds to be inaccessible. The North Carolina Emergency Management spokesman, Justin Graney, has stated that while the funds have been obligated, they have not been transferred to the sta