by The U.S. Department of Agriculture has opened applications for a $16 billion relief program to assist North Carolina agricultural producers who suffered crop losses from Hurricane Helene and other natural disasters in 2023 and 2024.
Why It Matters
- The aid supports recovery from one of the most destructive storms in state history.
- North Carolina suffered $60 billion in damage from Hurricane Helene alone.
- The program is part of a larger national effort to provide $30 billion in federal assistance to affected farmers and ranchers.
What to Know
- Program Name: Supplemental Disaster Relief Program
- Administered by: USDA Farm Service Agency
- Application Process:
- Prefilled applications are being mailed now
- Applications will be accepted in person at USDA offices beginning Thursday
- Eligible losses include:
- Hurricanes (e.g., Helene)
- Wildfires
- Floods
- Excessive heat or cold
- Tornadoes, winter storms, and polar vortexes
- Excessive moisture, drought, and smoke exposure
- Fourteen states, including North Carolina, are working with USDA through state block grants
Hurricane Helene’s Impact
- Made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane on Sept. 26, 2023, in Dekle Beach, Florida
- Caused 107 deaths in North Carolina, 236 in the South
- Unprecedented inland flooding: Over 30 inches of rain in mountainous regions
- Damage in North Carolina estimated at $60 billion
- 42nd week of recovery efforts now underway
Government Support So Far
- North Carolina lawmakers approved $2.1 billion in relief across five fiscal packages
- Congress approved $9 billion in federal funds in December
- FEMA assistance to the state has exceeded $1 billion
What Happens Next
- Farmers and ranchers are encouraged to apply as soon as possible
- Further state and federal grants are expected in 2025
- USDA and North Carolina continue to assess long-term recovery and infrastructure needs
Producers seeking assistance can contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency office or visit the USDA’s website for more details on eligibility and documentation requirements.
