$40 Million Mistake? My Year Tracking Hurricane Helene’s Fallout in Rutherford County
From my home near the Broad River to county meetings, I’ve watched firsthand how early decisions left taxpayers on the hook while FEMA reimbursements lag
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RUTHERFORDTON, N.C. — Over a year ago, Hurricane Helene tore through Western North Carolina. Over 130 people were evacuated in Rutherford County alone, officials said. My home, just a couple of miles from the Broad River, was fortunate—minor damage compared to neighbors upstream—but the storm exposed deeper problems in how Rutherford County handles disaster response. Roads and homes were washed away, as I recently documented the progress in Chimney Rock by the NC Department of Transportation and its contractors.
Earlier today I shared some personal perspectives that’s you may find interesting. (Listen/watch here.)
I’ve spent the past year attending meetings in Lake Lure, livestreaming events, and documenting what officials say—and don’t say. Recently, the county held a hurricane “healing” film screening at Isothermal Community College. The panel wasn’t recorded, but I livestreamed it on Facebook to ensure the public could see it for themselves and wrote about it, quoting officials. These firsthand accounts matter. Spin and conjecture often dominate local coverage, but someone needs to capture the facts.
To be clear, the progress has been incredible. County staff and leaders did what they could with limited resources. But the accountability piece is a key component in disaster recovery.
At the October 7 Board of Commissioners meeting, Chairman Bryan King placed much of the blame on FEMA’s slow reimbursements and warned of a possible tax increase. While it is a valid concern to not be paid in a timely fashion, it doesn’t fully explain why Rutherford County is in a far different position than nearby Lake Lure, a town within the same county. There, officials requested the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) handle debris removal directly, which meant federal funds covered contractors, and the town didn’t have to pay up front. Rutherford County, by contrast, went with state contractors, leaving local taxpayers responsible for over $40 million while waiting on FEMA.
Disbursements already given are part of a broader $322 million FEMA commitment to North Carolina from the Trump Administration and bring the total recovery reimbursements since July 14 alone to over $161 million. “The American people deserve a government that fights for their survival and prosperity, not one that kneels to bureaucratic elites. With the leadership of President Trump, Senator Budd, and Chairman Whatley, DHS and FEMA are delivering for North Carolina,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on Sept. 9. “Under President Trump’s leadership, DHS is restoring our nation’s strength, securing our communities, and ensuring no American is left behind.”
County Manager Steve Garrison made early decisions that I’m still investigating through public records requests, but one glaring question remains: why wasn’t USACE contacted from the start? In disaster response, the early choices define the outcome. Mishandling those decisions can cost communities millions.
At a March 18 Lake Lure special meeting at Rumbling Bald, Daniel Dubé, Assistant Deputy Infrastructure Branch Director for FEMA, said, “Rutherford County is using a state bid contractor that they’ve contracted on their own to do debris removal. They have submitted many hundreds of points in their river and stream waterways to FEMA in the state of North Carolina to assess for eligibility purposes, and their operations are ongoing. If you have a specific site that you’re concerned about in a county-owned area, of a river or a stream i would encourage you to contact Rutherford County’s Emergency Management folks to give them the GPS coordinates or the address nearby and they can certainly let you know if it’s part of of their operations or if it’s an area that they’re not aware of that they need to try to add…we don’t get involved in the day-to-day operations of Rutherford County.”
I’ve reported on these decisions from the ground, recording public meetings, often with no cell service. Tactical journalism mattered then, and it matters now: documenting the facts for public records, accountability, and historical perspective.
In early October 2024, Title 10 troops were removed from Chimney Rock by then-President Joe Biden and then-Governor Roy Cooper, as I recently uncovered for WCAB News. Cooper is running for U.S. Senate in 2026, who is seen as being “soft on crime” by opponent Michael Whatley.
Now, in October 2025, the financial consequences are real. King warned of “awkward" decisions ahead, citing potential service cuts and tax increases. While officials deserve credit for navigating regulatory and financial hurdles, the public deserves transparency about how we got here—and why early missteps left taxpayers exposed.
As candidate filing opens in December for the March 2026 primary, residents should remember these decisions when evaluating leadership. My work in documenting this year-long story is about more than reporting—it’s about ensuring that the people of Rutherford County see the facts, not just spin, and understand the real costs of disaster management gone awry.
County commissioners King, Michael Benfield, and Alan Toney are up for re-election.
Stay tuned.