North Carolina to appeal FEMA’s denial of 100% cost-share extension after Hurricane Helene

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina plans to appeal the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) decision to deny an extension of the 100% federal reimbursement for disaster recovery costs following Hurricane Helene, the governor’s office confirmed with WFMY News 2 on Tuesday. The state has been granted 30 days to file the appeal, and the governor’s office said more information will be released in the coming days.

The decision comes just days after Governor Josh Stein visited Newland, where he met with residents who lost their homes in the wake of Hurricane Helene. While on the ground on Friday, April 11, the governor received word that FEMA had denied the state’s request. Gov. Stein said the denial letter cited that an extension was “not warranted.”

Gov. Stein condemned the decision and called on President Trump to intervene, emphasizing the devastating financial impact the denial could have on North Carolinians—especially those in the western part of the state who are still reeling from the storm’s damage.

Preliminary estimates suggest FEMA’s decision could cost the state roughly $200 million. 

North Carolina leaders argue there is precedent for FEMA to grant such extensions. During President Trump’s first term, FEMA extended 100% federal cost-sharing for Hurricane Maria recovery efforts in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico to 12 and nine months, respectively. Similarly, long-term federal cost-sharing was extended following Hurricanes Katrina and Ike in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.

With a formal appeal on the horizon, North Carolina’s leaders are urging FEMA and federal officials to reconsider a decision that could have sweeping financial consequences for communities still trying to recover.

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