The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), under the Trump administration, is drawing criticism after officially denying North Carolina’s request for federal disaster assistance in the wake of Hurricane Helene, which battered the state with destructive winds, widespread flooding, and significant infrastructure damage earlier this month.
The decision, confirmed by FEMA in a written statement, comes despite an official request submitted by Governor Roy Cooper, who asked for a federal disaster declaration to unlock critical funding for emergency response, recovery, and rebuilding in dozens of hard-hit counties. Hurricane Helene made landfall as a. . .