MARION, N.C. (WTVD) — Gov. Josh Stein on Friday announced more than $24 million in mitigation grants and another $16 million for volunteer rebuilding organizations during a Western North Carolina Recovery meeting in Marion.

The funding supports longterm recovery from Hurricane Helene and is intended to help communities better withstand future natural disasters.

State officials said the mitigation grants will help local governments upgrade wastewater and water infrastructure, strengthen transportation systems, relocate facilities out of flood-prone areas, expand flood warning networks and develop shovel ready recovery projects. Nonprofit groups aiding families with home repairs and reconstruction will receive the volunteer-based grants.

“Western North Carolina is coming back strong from Hurricane Helene,” Stein said, adding that recovery requires cooperation among government, private and nonprofit partners.

North Carolina Emergency Management Director Will Ray said the grants reflect a “wholeofcommunity effort” to reduce risk and help towns rebuild stronger.

Over two dozen communities and organizations – including Conover, Hendersonville, Clyde, Marion, Black Mountain, Banner Elk and multiple county agencies – will receive funding for projects ranging from flood gauge installations to dam restoration and wastewater improvements.

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ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Gas prices are hitting the highest level since September 2024, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).

On Friday, March 6, western North Carolina drivers were already experiencing shock at the pump.

News 13 caught up with some drivers at a gas station in Henderson County, where the price per gallon was just a penny under $3, sitting at $2.99.

This comes as Tuesday marked the largest single-day jump at the pump since March 2022, according to ABC News, citing Gas Buddy sources.

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Drivers we spoke with say they’re feeling the fuel costs climb and needless to say, they’re not too pleased.

“Here, it’s the first time I’m seeing the price that high,” said driver and Hendersonville resident Ricardo Martineati. “We don’t understand why the price is going up, but it is what it is. I hope it comes back to what it used to be pretty soon.”

Part of the reason for the gas price change is that crude prices surged 35% this week as Iran threatens the Strait of Hormuz, which is a critical route many oil producers use to get oil to market, ABC News reports.

Martineati knows it’s not much, but he says he’s got a strategy to save.

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“Just try to slow down on the takeoff, on the coming to a stop to save some fuel, but that’s it,” Martineati said.

And with all this price pressure, he added that he’s picking a positive perspective.

“At least I’m not driving a diesel-fueled truck,” Martineati said.

While WNC hovers around $3 a gallon, depending on your location, the state is still below the national average of $3.30 a gallon, according to AAA.