Housing recovery is slowing beginning in communities hit hardest by Hurricane Helene. The Hurricane leaving behind a swath of historic destruction from Florida’s Gulf Coast through the mountains of Tennessee, Virginia, and the Carolinas. More than 200 people were killed by strong winds and historic flooding. As for property loss, experts estimate Helene caused up to $47 Billion in damages.

North Carolina

Many of the lives and properties damaged or lost were in Western North Carolina. HUD recently allocated $1.7 million to Asheville, North Carolina, in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. This funding will be instrumental in housing recovery, rebuilding businesses, and vital infrastructure, marking a continued effort by the Biden-Harris Administration to support families, business owners, farmers, and communities affected by the storm across the Southeast and Appalachia.

“Today’s funding will provide essential support to Asheville as it begins to recover from the impacts of Hurricane Helene,” stated HUD Agency Head Adrianne Todman. “We are eager to collaborate with Asheville’s leadership to address the city’s pressing needs and ensure the community receives the long-term resources necessary for full recovery.”

HUD leaders also noted the effects of Helene will linger for years. They affirmed HUD’s commitment to housing recovery not only in Asheville but throughout all of Western North Carolina.

Tennessee

On the other side of the mountains, housing recovery is also underway in Eastern Tennessee. FEMA approved 18 months of temporary housing assistance for homeowners and renters affected by major structural damage. This assistance will be available until April 2, 2026, and includes options such as Direct Lease, Multifamily Lease and Repair, and Transportable Temporary Housing Units.

According to assessments by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, the flooding caused an estimated $20.37 million in damage, impacting 114 structures across the region. This includes 48 buildings that were completely destroyed, 51 that suffered major damage, and 12 with minor damage.

FEMA says hundreds will be eligible for immediate assistance.

Georgia

FEMA assistance is also available in Georgia. Housing Recovery is also slow but beginning in cities like Valdosta and Augusta. Additionally, state leaders are reallocating $100 million to support loans for farmers and assist with cleanup efforts. The Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission voted unanimously on Friday to direct these funds, originally earmarked for construction projects and debt repayment, toward recovery initiatives.

Officials estimate that the storm, which made landfall in Florida on September 26 and wreaked havoc across eastern Georgia, resulted in approximately $6.46 billion in economic losses for the state’s agriculture and forestry sectors. Farmers in the cotton, pecan, and poultry industries, along with private timberland owners, faced significant setbacks. Lt. Governor Burt Jones and other officials have referred to the storm’s impact as a “generational loss,” highlighting the long-term challenges faced by the state’s agricultural community.

South Carolina

Agricultural losses are astronomical in South Carolina as well. There, leaders revealed Hurricane Helene caused more than $200 Million in timber losses alone. As for housing, many in the Palmetto state must now deal with insurance companies to make necessary property repairs. Housing recovery in this area could also take years. The Director of South Carolina’s Risk and Uncertainty Management Center recently told state leaders, “Helene will go down as one of the costliest disasters in South Carolina history.”

Florida

Housing Recovery in Florida, where Helene came ashore, has been complicated by Mother Nature. Days after Helene’s landfall, another powerful storm brought wind and storm surge to many areas hit by Helene. Now, cleanup is ongoing and those who lost homes join those along the storms path on the slow path to recovery.