ust last week, North Carolina was battered by a ferocious storm, leaving communities in disarray and families struggling to pick up the pieces. The scars of this disaster—likely a reference to the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Helene, which struck in late September 2024—are still fresh, with homes destroyed, roads washed out, and livelihoods upended. Yet, as the state digs out from the wreckage, whispers out of Washington suggest Congress is poised to greenlight $100 million in overseas aid today. The timing raises a pressing question: with North Carolina storm recovery far from complete, should government spending abroad take precedence over healing our own?
This isn’t about isolationism—it’s about accountability and priorities. Let’s explore the state of U.S. disaster relief in North Carolina, the rationale behind foreign aid, and why many are calling for a hard pause until American communities are made whole.
The State of North Carolina’s Recovery
The storm that hit North Carolina last week—potentially a lingering effect of Helene or a new weather event—has piled onto an already staggering toll. Hurricane Helene, dubbed the deadliest tropical storm in the state’s history, claimed over 100 lives, caused $53 billion in damages, and left Western North Carolina reeling. As of early 2025, FEMA has disbursed over $102 million in individual assistance, while Congress approved a $100 billion disaster relief package in December 2024, with North Carolina slated to receive billions, including $1.65 billion in block grants announced in January. Emergency funds, like the $100 million for roads and bridges from the U.S. Department of Transportation, have also flowed in.
Yet, the recovery is far from finished. Hundreds of roads remain closed, businesses teeter on the brink of collapse, and countless residents still lack permanent housing. In Asheville, the economic ripple effects of Helene alone threaten long-term stability, with Mayor Esther Manheimer noting in late 2024 that the city faces a “long recovery” ahead. Add another storm into the mix, and the strain on resources—both financial and human—only deepens. For many, the question isn’t whether help is coming, but whether it’s coming fast enough to meet the scale of need.
Against this backdrop, the idea of sending $100 million overseas feels like a gut punch to those still sifting through the rubble. If North Carolina storm recovery is a marathon, as Governor Roy Cooper has called it, why are we sprinting to fund projects abroad?
The Case for Overseas Aid—And Its Timing
To be fair, government spending on foreign aid isn’t a zero-sum game. The $100 million reportedly under consideration today could be part of broader diplomatic or humanitarian efforts—perhaps tied to crises like Ukraine’s ongoing war or famine relief in Africa. Historically, U.S. foreign aid, which totals about $60 billion annually, aims to bolster allies, stabilize regions, and project American influence. Proponents argue it’s an investment in global security that ultimately benefits the homeland.
In the context of recent events, Congress has juggled multiple priorities. The $100 billion disaster relief bill passed in December 2024 addressed not just Helene and Milton but also earlier disasters like the Maui wildfires and the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. Adding overseas aid to the mix reflects a long-standing pattern of balancing domestic and international needs. Lawmakers might contend that $100 million—a fraction of the federal budget—won’t derail U.S. disaster relief efforts already underway.
But timing matters. With North Carolina’s wounds still raw, the optics of diverting even a dime abroad spark outrage. State officials, including Governor Cooper and Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd, have fought tooth and nail for federal dollars—Cooper estimating a need for $25 billion just for Helene. When every resource feels stretched thin, a $100 million overseas allocation risks looking like a misplaced priority to those still waiting for help.
A Call to Put Americans First
The sentiment is clear: not one dime should leave these shores until North Carolina storm recovery is on solid footing. It’s a stance rooted in fairness and practicality. The federal government has a primary duty to its citizens—especially those reeling from back-to-back disasters. Western North Carolina’s rugged terrain and rural communities already complicate relief efforts; another storm only amplifies the urgency. Why, critics ask, should taxpayers fund distant causes when their neighbors can’t rebuild their homes?
This isn’t a new debate. In October 2024, former President Donald Trump criticized the Biden administration’s response to Helene, alleging funds were misdirected to immigration programs—a claim debunked but reflective of broader frustration with spending priorities. Today, that frustration resurfaces. If Congress can muster $100 million for overseas aid, why not redirect it to bolster FEMA’s disaster relief fund, which dropped to $5 billion late last year, or speed up aid to North Carolina’s farmers, who’ve lost crops and livestock?
The numbers back this up. North Carolina’s $877 million in state relief covers just 1.6% of Helene’s estimated damage, and federal aid, while substantial, hasn’t closed the gap. With most affected homes uninsured against floods, every dollar counts. A $100 million infusion could repair more roads, rebuild more schools, or house more families—tangible steps toward wholeness.
Striking a Balance: What’s Next?
This isn’t a blanket rejection of foreign aid—it’s a plea for sequence. Stabilize the U.S. economy and its storm-ravaged regions first, then look outward. Congress could delay the $100 million overseas package until North Carolina’s recovery hits key benchmarks: reopened infrastructure, restored businesses, and rehoused residents. Transparency would help, too—lawmakers should clarify the purpose of this aid and why it can’t wait.
For now, the focus belongs on U.S. disaster relief. North Carolina’s resilience is inspiring—donations to the NC Disaster Relief Fund hit $16.8 million by December 2024, and volunteers have poured in from across the nation. But goodwill alone won’t rebuild a state. Federal resources, allocated wisely, are the backbone of recovery.
As Congress debates this move, the message from the ground is loud: heal our people first. The $100 billion disaster package was a start, but with fresh storm damage in play, it’s not enough. Lawmakers must weigh today’s decision not just in dollars, but in trust. North Carolinians deserve to know their government has their backs—before anyone else’s.
What do you think? Should Congress hold off on overseas aid until North Carolina storm recovery is further along? Share your take below—we’re all in this conversation together.
