Weeks after storm, major infrastructure repairs continue on I-40, utilities in Western North Carolina
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (UI) – Several weeks after Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina, significant infrastructure damage, including key sections of I-40 and local utilities, continues to hamper the region.
Governor Roy Cooper and U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg toured Asheville and Canton last week to assess recovery progress.
“We’re steadily working to reopen roads and restore critical infrastructure, but the storm’s impact has created long-term challenges,” said Cooper. “The support from the Biden administration is helping us accelerate recovery.”
Efforts to restore I-40 remain a priority for the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), with over 2,000 employees and 900 pieces of equipment focused on approximately 7,100 damaged sites. Thousands of residents were initially left without power, and around 9,500 customers remain without electricity as repair crews address ongoing damage.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is continuing its assessment of water and wastewater systems, while FEMA has provided nearly $107 million in aid to assist recovery efforts across the region.
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