New DHS Secretary Visits Western North Carolina to Assess Disaster Relief Efforts

Secretary Markwayne Mullin tours areas impacted by Hurricane Helene, pledges to address funding and recovery delays.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 1:53am

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A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting depicting a serene lake surrounded by towering, mist-shrouded mountains, conveying the overwhelming scale and power of the natural world.The stunning natural beauty of Western North Carolina's landscapes belies the ongoing struggle to recover from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene.Lake Lure Today

The newly confirmed Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, visited parts of Western North Carolina on Tuesday to get a firsthand look at the ongoing disaster relief and recovery efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene 18 months ago. Mullin toured areas around Lake Lure and Chimney Rock, meeting with local leaders, first responders, and FEMA officials to discuss the progress and challenges in rebuilding the region.

Why it matters

The visit by the new DHS secretary underscores the continued struggles faced by communities in Western North Carolina as they work to recover from the massive damage caused by Hurricane Helene. With over $5.3 billion in disaster relief funds allocated so far, but thousands of projects still in limbo, Mullin's trip aims to assess the situation and identify ways the federal government can better support long-term recovery efforts.

The details

During his visit, Mullin was briefed on the status of recovery efforts, including the recent refilling of Lake Lure after it was filled with silt and debris. He also toured Chimney Rock State Park and the downtown area. In a roundtable discussion, Mullin heard from local leaders about the need for better access to disaster relief funds and programs, as well as the creation of a universal application process. Mullin acknowledged the challenges, including a backlog of projects and the impact of the recent partial government shutdown on FEMA funding, and pledged to work on reforms to improve the efficiency of disaster response.

  • Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina 18 months ago.
  • Markwayne Mullin was confirmed as the new Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on March 23, 2026.
  • Mullin visited the affected areas in Western North Carolina on Tuesday, April 8, 2026.

The players

Markwayne Mullin

The newly confirmed Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, who visited Western North Carolina to assess the ongoing disaster relief and recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene.

Tedd Budd

A U.S. Senator who participated in the roundtable discussion with Secretary Mullin, expressing concerns about the region's ability to withstand future disasters without adequate federal support.

FEMA

The federal agency that has provided disaster relief funds and assistance to the region, totaling $5.3 billion to date.

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What they’re saying

“There's work to be done, and what do we learn? The one thing I do know is when we step back after an awful disaster like this, it also allows us to be more efficient.”

— Markwayne Mullin, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security

“My great fear is if something is not done within the federal government, in coordination within the state, there will be another disaster where we will be without services for 14 days.”

— Unnamed Roundtable Participant

“We hope and pray that it's not a 100-year storm. That is a thousand-year storm. And we don't see another one like this in our life or our children's lifetimes. It's absolutely heartbreaking. You want to start as close to home as possible.”

— Tedd Budd, U.S. Senator

What’s next

Secretary Mullin pledged to work on reforms to improve the efficiency and coordination of disaster response efforts, including addressing the backlog of recovery projects and ensuring FEMA funding remains available even during government shutdowns.

The takeaway

The visit by the new DHS secretary underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Western North Carolina communities as they work to rebuild and recover from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene. Mullin's commitment to reform and improve disaster relief efforts could have far-reaching implications for how the federal government responds to and supports communities impacted by natural disasters.