ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WECT) – During his second day in office, Former North Carolina Attorney General and now our state’s governor, Josh Stein signed five Hurricane Helene recovery executive orders.
Stein says each order will address issues that need immediate attention.
This comes as more than 12,000 people are without safe housing, and an estimated 8,000 private roads and bridges need to be repaired or replaced in Western North Carolina.
“We want every dollar dedicated to recovery whether federal, state, local or charitable to be spent as efficiently, impactfully and quickly as possible,” said Stein. “Folks have to have a safe place to live.”
The first executive order will increase the supply of temporary housing.
The second order will enable the state to repair private roads and bridges faster. Stein says that’s necessary for people and especially emergency vehicles to access homes.
The third order creates the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina, or GROW NC. Which is now a division within the office of the Governor for the next year.
The fourth order establishes a governor’s advisory committee to advise GROW NC to meet the community’s needs quickly and cost-effectively.
The final order authorizes 16 additional hours of leave for state employees to volunteer for storm-related efforts.
“The needs facing this region are vast and require immediate attention,” said Stein. “I pledge to do everything in my power as governor to accelerate recovery and the rebuilding of a more resilient region for the long haul.”
Stein says the total losses are estimated to be close to $60 billion dollars. All of the orders are effective immediately.
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