President Joe Biden on Sunday approved a federal major disaster in North Carolina and Florida after storm Helene caused widespread damage across the western portion of the state, including producing torrential rains that have sparked mudslides and flooding that have cut off entire communities.
In a news release issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the president said he approved North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s request for a federal major disaster declaration for 25 North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
“The people in western North Carolina are hurting from this devastating storm and we are all working to get resources to people as fast as we can,” Cooper said in a statement Sunday. “We have deployed rescue teams, transportation crews, water, mobile kitchens and more. This is going to be a long-term recovery and this federal declaration will help us respond.”…