WASHINGTON -- President Trump and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem continue delivering on their promise to provide disaster relief to Americans throughout the Southeast as they recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton that caused billions in damages last year.
Since Jan. 20, the Trump administration has prioritized locally-led recovery, providing more than $3.6 billion in funding to speed up debris removal and fund critical infrastructure projects across the Southeast. In total, more than 107 million cubic yards of debris has been cleared.
Southeastern states and local governments continue to lead recovery with FEMA and other federal agency support. To date, FEMA has provided more than $14.3 billion in flood insurance payments and grants to survivors, communities, states and tribes.
“Communities affected by these storms are rebuilding stronger as they drive their recovery,” said Secretary Noem. “We’re committed to cutting the red tape and getting recovery dollars moving faster than ever before.”
Helping Families Recover
FEMA provided more than $2.9 billion in grants to survivors, and paid $7.86 billion in flood insurance claims, while the U.S. Small Business Administration provided more than $1.5 billion in low-interest disaster loans to home and business owners.
FEMA is providing disaster housing in four states for 1,026 families, and 299 have already found a permanent housing solution.
North Carolina
In Western North Carolina, where both President Trump and Secretary Noem visited to observe recovery efforts, the administration has surged $2.7 billion toward recovery. Of that, Secretary Noem directed FEMA to deliver more than $510 million in Public Assistance grants and an additional $2 billion for debris removal. This is one of the largest and most complex debris removal missions in history, with more than 15 million cubic yards of debris removed.
Another $515.6 million in grants have gone to survivors that include money for rent, basic home repairs and other disaster-caused needs. This includes funds to help rebuild and repair private roads and bridges for over 10,500 families.
More than 240 families received temporary housing from FEMA, with 129 who have already transitioned to permanent housing and 25 purchasing their units.
Families have also received $212.4 million in National Flood Insurance Program claims.
Other federal agencies supporting North Carolina’s recovery include:
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced $221.2 million to help cover agricultural losses in Western North Carolina.
- The Environmental Protection Agency announced a total of $685 million has been allocated for water infrastructure resiliency efforts.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration provided $244.2 million in low-interest disaster loans to home and business owners.
Florida
Since Jan. 20, the Trump administration provided more than $296 million to Florida for recovery projects. The administration has also prioritized helping the state recover from previous disasters, announcing more than $20 million last week for Hurricane Ian projects. Florida led debris removal operations following Helene and Milton, clearing more than 31.6 million cubic yards.
FEMA has provided more than $1.7 billion in grants to survivors of the 2024 storms to cover costs such as rental assistance, home repair or to cover other disaster-related needs. More than $7.6 billion in National Flood Insurance Program claims have been paid to policyholders.
The U.S. Small Business Administration has disbursed $978 million in 16,500 low-interest disaster loans. The Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development and others have announced $5.7 billion in funding to help Florida recovery from hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Georgia
Some of the hardest hit areas in rural Georgia presented a hurdle for displaced survivors to find available housing. Starting in February, FEMA and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency hosted 13 housing fairs and helped more than 1,000 Georgia families secure housing and gain access to community recovery resources. FEMA provided 82 families temporary disaster housing, and 29 have already found a permanent solution.
Since Jan. 20, the administration approved more than $667.9 million for debris removal and other community recovery projects. Nearly 43 million cubic yards of debris were removed by the state, counties and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
FEMA has provided more than $334 million in grants to survivors and $37.9 million in flood insurance payments. The U.S. Small Business Administration disbursed $142 million in low-interest disaster loans.
South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia
Since Jan. 20, the administration has approved more than $315 million for emergency protective measures and community recovery projects in South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. More than 16.5 million cubic yards of debris have been cleared.
FEMA provided nearly $398 million in grants to survivors and $31.5 million in flood insurance payments. The U.S. Small Business Administration disbursed $54.8 million in low-interest disaster loans.