Key House Republicans are requesting detailed information from federal and state officials regarding the response to Hurricane Helene, which hit North Carolina in late September.
House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green (R-TN), Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability Chairman Dan Bishop (R-NC), and Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology Chairman Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY) sent letters this week to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper.
The lawmakers are seeking clarification on the use of military assets, coordination under Title 10 authorities, and the overall implementation of federal disaster response in the state.
In their letter to Secretary Mayorkas, the lawmakers stressed the importance of oversight to assess the scale of federal resources deployed and the coordination between agencies. “The Committee seeks to better understand the use of military assets, the execution of Title 10 authorities, and how these efforts were coordinated in North Carolina, where the damage from Hurricane Helene is particularly acute,” the letter states.
The letter to Secretary Austin echoed similar concerns, focusing on the Department of Defense’s (DoD) role in supporting the hurricane response.
In their message to Governor Cooper, the lawmakers highlighted that North Carolina had mobilized significant state and federal resources, including over 400 National Guard personnel and assets from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Army Corps of Engineers. By early October, federal personnel aiding disaster relief efforts in North Carolina had surpassed 6,400.
The letters also reflect ongoing concerns about FEMA’s disaster response practices, particularly after Hurricane Milton. The Committee is investigating reports of political bias within FEMA, including allegations that relief workers were instructed to avoid assisting homes displaying support for President Trump.
Chairman Green recently requested a transcribed interview with Chad Hershey, Task Force Lead for FEMA’s Disaster Survival Assistance Task Force, following an earlier interview with a former FEMA employee that raised questions about discriminatory practices during disaster relief in Florida.
Hurricane Helene made landfall on September 26, 2024, causing widespread destruction in North Carolina and beyond. The storm prompted significant federal mobilization, with President Biden increasing the cost share for National Guard assistance to 100% for 180 days. Federal and state agencies coordinated to deploy thousands of personnel, high-wheeled vehicles, and other critical assets to support recovery efforts.
The Committee has requested documentation from Secretary Mayorkas, Secretary Austin, and Governor Cooper by December 24, 2024. The lawmakers have also committed to continued oversight of federal responses to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, aiming to ensure accountability and improve disaster response protocols.
As recovery efforts continue, the Committee’s investigation seeks to provide transparency and identify areas where federal and state disaster response can be enhanced.