ICYMI: Secretary Buttigieg Tours Hurricane-Damaged Regions of Western North Carolina and East Tennessee, Pledges Administration’s Ongoing Support for Recovery and Repairs

4 min readOct 18, 2024

To date, USDOT has provided $100 million in Emergency Relief funding to NCDOT and $32 million to TDOT

Biden-Harris Administration is committed to supporting states as they recover, with more federal resources on the way

*Secretary Buttigieg hears about Helene response from federal, state, and local officials in North Carolina*

Washington, DC — Yesterday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited western North Carolina and east Tennessee, where he was briefed by state and local leaders on recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Helene and discussed emergency aid provided by the Biden-Harris Administration. At this time, the Administration has already approved more than $1.8 billion in assistance for hurricane recovery efforts and will continue to support communities as they rebuild.

To begin his visit, Secretary Buttigieg joined North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and U.S. Senator Thom Tillis at the Emergency Operations Center in Asheville to thank first responders, community members, volunteers and FEMA employees for their around-the-clock work to help the community recover.

*Secretary Buttigieg speaks with first responders at the Emergency Operations Center*

The Secretary then joined Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer in the River Arts District to hear directly from local business owners. The Secretary reconfirmed the unwavering support of the Biden-Harris Administration in recovery efforts.

*Secretary Buttigieg speaks with local media in the River Arts District in Asheville, NC*

Secretary Buttigieg then traveled to Canton, NC, where he joined Mayor Zeb Smathers for a walking tour to see flooding damage first-hand. He also met with local business owners and community members.

*Secretary Buttigieg and Governor Cooper hear from Canton Mayor Smathers*

The Secretary also saw two sites along I-40 that were devastated by Hurricane Helene, where he was briefed by NCDOT, TDOT, and the Federal Highway Administration on efforts to stabilize and eventually reopen the interstate. Shortly after the flooding, USDOT sent $100 million to North Carolina and $32 million to Tennessee to help with immediate repairs and reconstruction of the roadway.

*Secretary Buttigieg views damage on I-40*

The Secretary’s visit marks just the beginning of USDOT and the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to supporting Tennessee and North Carolina rebuild after the storm.

See below to see what they’re saying about the Secretary’s visit:

Asheville Citizen Times: Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg visits I-40 wreckage in wake of Tropical Storm Helene

Knoxville News Sentinel: ‘Shocking devastation alongside incredible natural beauty’: Pete Buttigieg brings good news on I-40

Blue Ridge Public Radio: Resilient infrastructure a focus of Pete Buttigieg, Roy Cooper’s visit to WNC

Raleigh News Observer: ‘We will rebuild’ I-40 in Pigeon River Gorge, NCDOT tells Buttigieg. But how?

Biloxi Local News: U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg tours Western North Carolina damage from Helene

Fox Carolina: Transportation Secretary Buttigieg tours damage in North Carolina

WLOS: U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Gov. Roy Cooper survey N.C. Helene damage

WCNC: Buttigieg gives update on I-40 repairs, when highway could reopen

WBIR: US Secretary of Transportation surveys roadway damage in North Carolina, East Tennessee

WYFF: US Transportation Secretary Buttigieg, NC Gov. Cooper tour hard-hit areas from Helene

WSPA 7 News: Pete Buttigieg joins NC gov. on tour of Helene recovery efforts