North Carolina
Applications open for $221M Helene disaster grant for North Carolina farmers
HENDERSON COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — The application window is now open for a $221 million federal disaster block grant for farmers impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Terry Kelley, director of N.C. Cooperative Extension in Henderson County, said the grant was made possible through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The money was allocated to the state last year, and on March 30, the USDA and the state’s Department of Agriculture opened the grant application period.
“This is additional help for farmers in the area affected by Helene, and it’s going to cover some specific things,” Kelley said.
The program covers four categories of eligible losses: infrastructure damage, market losses, future economic losses and timber losses.
USDA DISASTER BLOCK GRANT APPLICATIONS OPEN SOON FOR HELENE-AFFECTED FARMERS
“The apple trees that were lost, basically washed away,[…] were in full production. I mean, it’s going to take growers four or five years to get those trees back into production,” Kelley said.
Since Helene, Kelley said that farmers have received a little over $450 million from the state, and now $221 million in federal dollars on top of that.
“That sounds like a huge figure. I mean, it sounds like it’s big, but you’re looking at around $650 million, but Henderson County had around [a] $135 million loss, $135 to $150 million loss,” Kelley added.
FILE – Crops and farm land in Henderson County, North Carolina. (Photo: WLOS Staff)
He said they’re still running behind, with only being at 10% or so recovery, and farmers are still hurting. So, this grant application is an opportunity to get some money back.
News 13 took a trip to McConnell Farms in Henderson County, where farmer Danny McConnell said the last 18 months have been somewhat difficult.
“September 27th will live in my mind for many, many years to come,” he said.
McConnell said he filled out his grant application on Monday. While it’s a lengthy application, he encouraged all farmers to take the time to fill it out.
NEW DHS SECRETARY MARKWAYNE MULLIN VISITS WNC TO HIGHLIGHT STORM RELIEF EFFORTS
Kelley said that, as far as he knows, this is the last opportunity to get recovery money from Helene.
“Is it going to be the kind of money that changes lives? No, probably not. But maybe it’s going to be the kind of money that will at least help bridge the gap to get people back on solid ground,” he said.
Kelley said that with a natural disaster like Hurricane Helene, recovery will take years, but he’s hopeful that little by little, they can help get people back to close to where they were before the storm.
The goal is for all farmers to be aware that help is out there. Kelley said you can fill out the application online or go to your local extension office for help.
For more details on how to apply, visit the link here.
Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
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Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | First Quarter
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | Q1 8:19
After a faceoff win by Henry Metz, Brendan Millon finds Truitt Sunderland to give the Hoos a 3-0 lead. Timeout North Carolina.
Virginia 2, North Carolina 0 | Q1 9:00
Brendan Millon gets the scoring started for the Cavaliers with a question mark style goal. On the defensive end, Jake Marek opens the game with three early saves with his third save setting up a transition goal by Tommy Snyder.
Virginia vs North Carolina pregame notes
UVA owns a 59-33 advantage since the series began in 1938.
The 59 wins are UVA’s most against any opponent in program history (followed by 51 against Duke).
In Chapel Hill last year, the Tar Heels defeated the Cavaliers 18-9, snapping UVA’s six-game series win streak.
UVA has won nine of the last 11 meetings, dating back to 2018.
The Hoos have won the last two meetings with Carolina at Klöckner Stadium, 11-4 in 2022 and 14-6 in 2024.
The Tar Heels’ four goals in 2022 marked the fewest goals in a game under Joe Breschi, who was named UNC’s head coach in 2006.
The last time the Tar Heels knocked off the Cavaliers at Klöckner was a 16-13 decision during the first of three games between the two teams in 2021.
Later that year, UVA claimed back-to-back meetings against the Heels, including in the NCAA semifinals on the way to capturing the 2021 national title over Maryland.
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HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Fire crews are responding to a brush fire near Howard Gap Road in Hendersonville on Friday evening.
The fire is across the street from the Ebenezer Baptist Church and near the Highlands Square Shopping Center.
Henderson County Fire Marshal Glen Gillette said crews are fighting “blowdown from Helene.”
NEW WILDFIRES IGNITE IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA FOREST AMID WORSENING DROUGHT
Around 11 p.m., the fire appears larger than it did an hour ago because crews are backburning, which refers to using fire to help control the wildfire.
Dana Fire Department Chief Jimmy Womack said that what was a 3-acre fire an hour ago will be an 8-acre fire due to back burning. He said the fire is 80% contained.
Womack said the cause of the fire is unknown, but one of the conditions contributing to the blaze is the Helene blowdown.
“There’s a lot of blowdown in these woods behind us. That’s what creates most of the problem,” said Womack.
Womack said there has been no property damage and no injuries have been reported for this fire in the woods that 24 personnel are fighting. They got the call to arrive at 6:05 p.m.
LOCAL NEWS
Dana Fire and Rescue and Henderson County Fire Department are supporting the U.S. Forest Service with this fire.
Glen said no structures are threatened at this time and Howard Gap Road is closed.
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This story will be updated as new information is discovered.
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