North Carolina
What The Future Holds For FEMA In North Carolina : 1A
A member of the FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force searches a flood-damaged property with a search canine in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene along the Swannanoa River on October 4, 2024 in Asheville, North Carolina.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
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Mario Tama/Getty Images
Big changes are coming to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
With Kristi Noem out at the Department of Homeland Security, all eyes are on FEMA to roll out millions of dollars in stalled federal funding for disaster responses. That’s especially true in North Carolina, where the western part of the state is still grappling with the effects of Hurricane Helene.
We sit down with a panel of experts to find out what the future holds for FEMA in the Tar Heel state.
Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.
North Carolina
GALLERY: Viewers share photos of March snow in western North Carolina
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Snow returned to the mountains this week, starting in higher elevations and near the North Carolina-Tennessee state line.
Much of Monday overnight into Tuesday also saw below-freezing temperatures, with wind chills reaching the single digits in some areas.
News 13 viewers shared photos of the snowy March day across the region.
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Do you have snow pictures? Send them to News 13 via Chime In:
North Carolina
NCDOT runs full crews overnight amid snow, plowing and treating high elevations
MADISON COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — In western North Carolina and in higher elevations like Madison County, temperatures have dropped into the 20s.
Jordan Denny, who works at a gas station in Wolf Laurel, says they were ready.
“Fortunately, we got propane in, I want to say yesterday, so that’s all stocked up. Haven’t had a huge surge in people buying propane, but a little bit more kerosene being sold, a little extra tobacco and things like that. Nothing too crazy, just trying to be here for people,” said Denny.
SNOW RETURNS TO WESTERN NC, ICY ROADS POSSIBLE TONIGHT INTO ST. PATRICK’S DAY
Denny said the region was teased with all the warm weather we’ve had recently.
The gas station he works at is connected to a restaurant where the co-owner says they’re expecting more business because of the snow.
“We are the only restaurant open after 4 o’clock off of this exit. It is the last exit before Tennessee and a lot of the state workers come in. My husband works for Wolf Laurel Road Crew, and they have to push snow and stuff also, so we try to stay open and provide food for them,” said Ashley Rice, the manager and co-owner at Borudys.
WEATHER WARN DAY: STORMS MOVE OUT AS COLD AIR, WINTRY WEATHER MOVES IN
North Carolina Department of Transportation spokesperson David Uchiyama said in Madison, Buncombe, and Mitchell counties, all available crews will work through the storm to clear the snow and ice.
MARCH 16, 2026 – Snow in Madison County, N.C. (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)
“NCDOT crews in the high elevations will be working tonight. It’ll be full crews. The individuals will be out in their trucks. They will be clearing snow and ice where it accumulates and applying the salt or the sand or both,” said Uchiyama.
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News 13 asked Uchiyama about preparation efforts. He said crews spent the day putting plows and spreaders on their vehicles and because of the precipitation last night and this morning, it would have been ineffective to apply pre-treatment.
North Carolina
Wilmington residents can shape city’s response to flooding and coastal storms
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – The City of Wilmington is working with the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management to study how residents are affected by flooding, storms, and sea-level rise as part of the Resilient Coastal Communities Program (RCCP).
The city is inviting residents to attend an in-person event to learn more about RCCP on Wednesday, March 18, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Skyline Center in Wilmington.
At the meeting, residents can:
- Learn what disaster resilience means for the City of Wilmington
- Learn about the Resilient Coastal Communities Program
- Share ideas, concerns, and local knowledge by taking the survey
- Find out how to continue making their voice heard during the project
For those unable to attend the in-person event, an online survey is currently available and accepting submissions.
To learn more about RCCP, click here.
Copyright 2026 WECT. All rights reserved.
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