To: Congressman Chuck Edwards, Senator Tilis and Budd, Governor Stein, NC legislature

Help WNC Residents Rebuild Bridges and Restore Access After Hurricane Helene!

We urge decision-makers to take the following actions to address the urgent needs of WNC residents recovering from Hurricane Helene:

  1. Waive or Reduce No-Rise Certification Requirements
    Allow waivers or reduced-cost requirements for families rebuilding essential access bridges, especially in cases of demonstrated financial hardship or when structures are the sole access to homes.

  2. Allocate Emergency State or Federal Funds
    Provide grants or subsidies for engineering studies and construction costs to assist low-income residents.

  3. Streamline the Permitting Process
    Expedite reviews and approvals for critical infrastructure projects like bridges and footbridges to ensure residents can safely access their homes.

  4. Develop Long-Term Recovery Solutions
    Work with FEMA, state agencies, and local governments to revise policies that disproportionately burden disaster-stricken communities and ensure fair access to recovery resources.


Sample Letter to Decision-Maker

Subject: Urgent Action Needed for WNC Residents Stranded Post-Hurricane Helene

Dear [Recipient’s Name],

I am writing to urge you to take immediate action to address the critical recovery challenges faced by Western North Carolina (WNC) residents following Hurricane Helene. The storm destroyed essential bridges, leaving many families with no safe access to their homes. Temporary footbridges, funded by nonprofits, have provided some relief, but these solutions are neither sustainable nor sufficient.

Efforts to rebuild have been stalled due to FEMA’s No-Rise Certification requirements, which demand costly engineering studies that many families cannot afford. Additionally, the storm has dramatically altered the landscape, making it impossible for residents to replace structures in their original locations. This has created an insurmountable barrier for those who depend on access to their homes for medical care, jobs, and daily life.

We are asking for your leadership in advocating for and implementing practical solutions, including:

  1. Waiving or reducing No-Rise Certification requirements for families rebuilding essential access bridges.
  2. Allocating emergency funding to assist with engineering and construction costs.
  3. Expediting permitting processes for recovery projects.
  4. Developing long-term policies that balance floodplain management with the urgent needs of disaster-stricken communities.
These actions would make a tangible difference for families in WNC. Without immediate intervention, many will remain stranded indefinitely.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent issue. I hope you will champion the changes needed to ensure that WNC residents can recover and rebuild. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you would like further details or would like to discuss this matter further.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Contact Information]

Why is this important?

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, many families in Western North Carolina remain isolated due to the destruction of essential bridges, their only connection to their homes. Temporary footbridges, funded by nonprofits, provided short-term relief but are inadequate for long-term use.

Efforts to rebuild permanent structures have been halted due to FEMA's No-Rise Certification requirements. While these certifications are important for preventing future flooding, they require costly engineering studies and lengthy approval processes that many families cannot afford.

Among those affected is my own family: my mother has been unable to reach her home except by four-wheeler, and an elderly neighbor battling cancer is stranded with only a footbridge for access. The storm has reshaped rivers and eroded landscapes, making exact reconstruction impossible for many.

We urge North Carolina legislators to take immediate action by:

  1. Waiving No-Rise Certification costs for families rebuilding essential access bridges.
  2. Allocating funding for engineering studies to assist low-income residents.
  3. Expediting the permitting process for critical recovery projects.
These families need access to their homes, medical care, and resources now. We cannot wait for another disaster to make this right. Join us in calling for practical, compassionate solutions to this urgent issue.