Trump blows off NC hurricane aid, Brunswick Beacon

Brunswick Beacon, 05.01.25

​NC voted for Trump in 2016, 2020 and 2024. It did no good. Trump’s newly appointed head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) just denied NC’s request to extend federal assistance to recover from Hurricane Helene. 

Trump’s Homeland Security Secretary vowed to "eliminate FEMA" after Trump declared, "You don't need FEMA; you need a good state government. FEMA is a very expensive, in my opinion, mostly failed situation." Tell that to 13,000 NC families made homeless by Helene that FEMA housed.

NC has suffered 79 hurricanes and tropical storms since 2000. In 2016, Hurricane Matthew hammered half the counties in NC. Oak Island Pier was partially destroyed. At least 28 people were killed, making Matthew the deadliest NC hurricane since Floyd killed 35 in 1999. Matthew damaged or destroyed over 100,000 structures causing $4.8 billion in economic loss. 

In 2018, Hurricane Florence surpassed Matthew, causing 42 deaths and $16.7 billion in damages. In 2020, Hurricane Isaias made landfall in Brunswick County, left 400,000 North Carolinians without power, caused $5.2 billion in damages and heavily damaged Oak Island and Ocean Isle Beach.

Last September, Hurricane Helene broke all records. Helene killed 107 North Carolinians, damaged more than 185,000 homes, devastated entire communities, and caused $60 billion in damages. Roads, bridges and water systems were destroyed. An estimated 96% of residents who sustained flood damage lacked flood insurance.

Gov. Stein appealed directly to Trump for help: “The need in western North Carolina remains immense. People need debris removed, homes rebuilt, and roads restored. Six months later, the people of western North Carolina are working hard to get back on their feet; they need FEMA to help them get the job done. I urge the President to reconsider FEMA's bad decision." Trump blew off Stein’s request and ignored NC’s urgent need. 

Geography guarantees that NC will suffer more destructive and deadly hurricanes. Trump’s cold shoulder told NC, ‘You’re on your own.’

Rich Cooper

Leland