ASHEVILLE, NC — January 31, 2025 — In conjunction with the American Flood Coalition (AFC), local leaders today launched the WNC Recovery & Resilience Partnership.
The partnership is a community-led effort to secure financial support, resources, and policy improvements that aid in recovery and rebuilding in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and better prepare the state for future disasters.
“Hurricane Helene highlighted the widespread and devastating destruction of flooding on communities, especially those across Western North Carolina,” said AFC Carolinas Director Tony McEwen. “By creating a unified voice to advocate for financial support and policy improvements, this partnership will help communities get back on their feet, while also better preparing them for the next disaster.”
As part of the launch, elected leaders and state agency representatives toured sites affected by Hurricane Helene. The site visits, six months after Hurricane Helene battered the region, focused on flood risk, immediate and long-term recovery and resilience priorities, and the scope of the recovery from Helene.
Site visits included Biltmore Village in Asheville and the town of Marshall, North Carolina.
“This partnership is a welcomed relief for our region,” said Hot Springs Alderman Wendy Stancil. “We need a collective voice to bring continued awareness to the recovery efforts at a state and federal level. Building a team that helps communities generate future flood mitigation, as well as securing funding for current and ongoing recovery, is an invaluable form of assistance for WNC.”
The partnership is supported by the American Flood Coalition, a nonpartisan group that brings together cities, elected officials, military leaders, businesses, and civic groups to drive adaptation to higher seas, stronger storms, and more frequent flooding.
###
About the American Flood Coalition
The American Flood Coalition is a nonpartisan group that brings together cities, elected officials, military leaders, businesses, and civic groups to drive adaptation to higher seas, stronger storms, and more frequent flooding. The Coalition advances solutions that support flood-affected communities and protect our nation’s residents, economy, and military installations. AFC has over 460 members across 22 states, as well as 52 Federal Champions. For more on the organization’s work or how to become a member, visit floodcoalition.org.
