Promises Made, Promises Broken: One Year Since Hurricane Helene, Trump Delayed and Gutted Disaster Relief
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Washington, D.C. – During the final days of his campaign and first days in office, Donald Trump promised to help communities devastated by Hurricane Helene recover and rebuild. One year later, people across Western North Carolina are still waiting for that promised funding. Federal disaster aid has covered less than 10% of the damage costs from Helene in North Carolina, compared to more than 70% of costs for previous major storms like Hurricanes Katrina, Maria, and Sandy. Since Trump took office, he has actively dismantled the nation’s disaster response capabilities—further delaying and blocking critical aid and making us less prepared for future major hurricanes.
Climate Power Communications Director Alex Glass issued the following statement: “Trump used the devastation of Hurricane Helene as a political backdrop while campaigning for president, but since taking office he’s delayed meaningful disaster relief to help people recover. Communities devastated by climate disasters like Hurricane Helene depend on federal support to rebuild. Trump’s reckless cuts have delayed the recovery funds that survivors rely on to rebuild their lives and livelihoods. Trump promised to help North Carolinians, but his administration has left them waiting a year later.”
Trump’s cuts are delaying relief for communities and making us less prepared for future disasters:
- According to an internal agency review, FEMA was “not ready” ahead of hurricane season and was months behind schedule in its preparations due to cuts to staffing and contract cuts. The agency also reduced emergency training for state and local emergency managers just before the start of hurricane season.
- As of September 2025, FEMA and other federal agencies had approved only $4.7 billion of the $18.9 billion North Carolina had requested for Hurricane Helene recovery.
- Trump laid off hundreds of employees from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), including hurricane hunters and researchers at the National Severe Storm Laboratory.
- The National Weather Service has lost nearly 600 employees due to cuts from DOGE and the Trump administration.