FEMA Purgatory": Unpaid Helene Claims Push Waynesville to the Brink

Waynesville -- March 26, 2026: For the town of Waynesville, the aftermath of Hurricane Helene is no longer measured in mud and debris, but in a mounting pile of unpaid invoices and a looming $5.4 million budget deficit. As of March 26, 2026, town officials are sounding the alarm: without the release of federal funds, the local community may be forced to shoulder millions in recovery costs through steep property tax hikes.The "Budget Reckoning"During a recent budget retreat, Finance Director Ian