FEMA reports $549 million in survivor grants paid in North Carolina recovery

True

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funding

FEMA has disbursed more than $549 million in direct grants to survivors in North Carolina as stated.

Source summary

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced more than $116 million in federal funding to help North Carolina recover from Tropical Storm Helene and to fund projects that reduce future flood and storm damage. Over $72 million is designated for repairing and restoring infrastructure — including roads, bridges, and utilities — and $44.6 million is for hazard mitigation projects such as property acquisitions and home elevations. Notable FEMA Public Assistance obligations include grants to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Rutherford County, Asheville, and Beech Mountain. The release notes that North Carolina had already received more than $1 billion for recovery and that FEMA has paid over $549 million to survivors.

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Latest fact check

FEMA’s official disaster page for North Carolina Tropical Storm Helene (DR-4827) reports that, as of January 13, 2026, a total of $549,838,304.82 had been approved under the Individuals & Households Program (Housing Assistance plus Other Needs Assistance) for 160,861 approved applications. These funds are grants provided directly to individuals and families (survivors) to support housing and other disaster-related needs, aligning with the description of grants to survivors to help families recover. Because the FEMA data show a total exceeding $549 million in individual survivor grants as of the day before the statement, the claim that FEMA has paid more than $549 million in grants to survivors is accurate in substance and amount. Verdict: True, because FEMA’s own reported Individuals & Households Program total for this disaster exceeds $549 million at the relevant time, matching the claim’s figure and purpose (direct grants to survivors for recovery).

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Timeline

Update · Jan 14, 2026, 11:12 PMTrue
FEMA’s official disaster page for North Carolina Tropical Storm Helene (DR-4827) reports that, as of January 13, 2026, a total of $549,838,304.82 had been approved under the Individuals & Households Program (Housing Assistance plus Other Needs Assistance) for 160,861 approved applications. These funds are grants provided directly to individuals and families (survivors) to support housing and other disaster-related needs, aligning with the description of grants to survivors to help families recover. Because the FEMA data show a total exceeding $549 million in individual survivor grants as of the day before the statement, the claim that FEMA has paid more than $549 million in grants to survivors is accurate in substance and amount. Verdict: True, because FEMA’s own reported Individuals & Households Program total for this disaster exceeds $549 million at the relevant time, matching the claim’s figure and purpose (direct grants to survivors for recovery).
Original article · Jan 14, 2026
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