Gov. Cooper, Sec. Buttigieg visit western NC, talk transportation, jobs in wake of Helene

WESTERN NC ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) — The nation's top transportation official visited areas of western North Carolina ravaged by Hurricane Helene during a tour of the region Thursday afternoon.

USDOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg was joined by North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper as the two made stops in Asheville, Canton, and I-40 near the North Carolina and Tennessee border. While in Asheville's River Arts District, Buttigieg shared with reporters what he had seen.

"There's nothing like being here, seeing it for yourself, and speaking with people who have been impacted. It doubles our motivation to make sure that the federal government is doing everything that we can," said Buttigieg.

During that same press conference, Cooper said he had assurances from the White House that Western NC will get the help they need to rebuild.

'Grateful. Angry. Upset.' Bat Cave residents assess damage from Helene

"The Biden-Harris administration has been explicit in making sure that they use every tool in the toolbox to help western North Carolina recover as quickly as possible," said Cooper.

The Governor also discussed restoring parts of I-40 and other federal roads that remain closed in the wake of Helene, saying that "rebuilding transportation in a more resilient way in western North Carolina is going to be the key to making sure that this community, communities like this can come back strong."

Cooper says so far, the feds have dolled out $100 million in emergency funds, adding that his extension and expansion of unemployment insurance should enable employees to stay where they are and return to work once businesses are able to reopen. Cooper's emergency order allows impacted workers to get as much as $600 a week and have access to federal benefits for up to 26 weeks.