Much of Tropical Storm Fred relief funds remain untouched as western NC regroups after Helene

As people in western North Carolina try to put their lives back together in the wake of Hurricane Helene, a WRAL investigation finds that some of those hit by another tropical system three years ago are still facing major disruptions Wait for help.

FEMA awarded $13 million in aid to Haywood County, just outside Asheville. Several people died when the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred struck in 2021. WRAL Investigates found that money that helped people find new housing was left almost entirely untouched.

In the small town of Canton on the banks of the Pigeon River, we found that the faith is still alive. “I believe in God and believe he will make this right,” resident Donella Pressley told us. For the second time in three years, she and her two girls have lost almost everything.

Her home was also hit by Tropical Storm Fred three years ago – one of 700 homes affected by the flooding in Haywood County. Six people died.

While FEMA quickly provided homeowners and renters with funds for immediate, short-term repairs and rental assistance, the longer-term funds promised to residents have not yet arrived.

From state records, WRAL Investigates found thirteen million in Fred relief funds for Haywood County that are still almost entirely untouched. For the Homeownership Assistance Program, Rebuild NC said Haywood County spent $73,000. This is less than 1% of the total quota. The district has not yet submitted an invoice for reimbursement, so the entire amount is still in the bank.

We also discovered that no money was allocated in the Affordable Housing Development Fund.

We asked Rebuild NC to provide a timeline for the grant. The agency said it submitted its action plan for the money to the government in August 2022 – a year after the storm. HUD approved the plan 8 months later. It took another year before a home ownership assistance program was launched in April this year. It was only last July that the state announced that it had found developers for new, affordable housing. We drove down the street where these new houses were supposed to be. The foundation stone has not yet been laid.

WRAL has reported on issues with Rebuild NC in previous investigations into relief funds for Hurricanes Matthew and Florence. The agency was also the focus of a WRAL documentary called “Aftermath.” Lawmakers also criticized the agency for its slow progress in helping hurricane victims.

We asked Rebuild NC about the money from Haywood County. By email, a spokesperson wrote, “…it is important to note that these funds are intended for long-term disaster recovery” and “…include detailed planning and programming efforts to avoid catastrophic impacts in the future .”

Those affected by the storm expect a repeat. “I have a feeling it’s going to happen again,” Bob Stansell told us. He's not confident he'll get help repairing his house this time.

“I hope we get something. But our foot and a half of water is a drop in the bucket compared to what a lot of people out here are dealing with,” he told us.

Pressley says there is a lot of need beyond her family. “I’m sure a lot of people could use some of that money.”

She had trouble requesting help after Fred, but she's not worried about what was given and what wasn't. “I come from a time where you fix things yourself and don’t really get handouts,” she explained. At this point, she focuses on the good, like the friends and complete strangers who have come to help. Pressley also relies on her faith: “You just pray and you know the good Lord will get you where you're supposed to be.”

We went back and analyzed the most recent data on funding from Hurricanes Florence and Matthew. We have found that, in the best case scenario, it takes about two years for Rebuild NC money to reach those in need. The spending reports also appeared to show that the second storm complicated recovery efforts and slowed the process.