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U.S. Department of Transportation U.S. Department of Transportation Icon United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Readout of Acting Federal Highway Administrator Kristin White’s Visit to Tennessee and North Carolina Following Hurricane Helene

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Contact: FHWA.PressOffice@dot.gov
Tel: (202) 366-0660

WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Acting Federal Highway Administrator Kristin White traveled to Tennessee and North Carolina as part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s ongoing response to states and communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.

On Saturday, October 5th, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced $32 million for the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) and $100 million for the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) from the Quick Release Emergency Funding Program. This funding represents a down payment in the immediate aftermath of the Hurricane to support emergency repairs critical to restoring transportation systems in affected states. Following these announcements, FHWA is continuing to work closely with TDOT, NCDOT and other federal, state, and local partners to respond to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.

On Monday, Acting Administrator White traveled to Tennessee and met with the Tennessee Department of Transportation to assess damage to transportation. Joined by TN Governor Bill Lee, U.S. Senators Bill Hagerty and Marsha Blackburn, U.S. Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger, State Representative Jeremy Faison, and TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley, White visited a stretch of Interstate 40 near Newport, Tennessee. This route serves as a critical connector linking people and freight traveling throughout the southeast.

Kristin White, Butch Eley, and other officials seated at a long table
FHWA Acting Administrator Kristin White with TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley and other TDOT officials for briefing on the agency’s latest efforts toward restoring essential transportation in Tennessee. (Photo Credit: TDOT)

 

Kristin White, Bill Lee, and other officials standing outside shoulder to shoulder
FHWA Acting Administrator White joined by TN Governor Bill Lee and other state and local leaders on Interstate 40 near in Cocke County, Tennessee. (Photo Credit: TDOT)

 

Kristin White and officials wearing yellow safety vests standing in a row on highway viewing damaged interstate
FHWA Acting Administrator Kristin White views damage to Interstate 40 in Cocke County, Tennessee alongside state leaders and officials from the TN Department of Transportation. (Photo Credit: TDOT)

 

Kristin White and Roy Cooper conversing while standing in front of large fallen tree
FHWA Acting Administrator Kristin White with NC Governor Roy Cooper in Burnsville, North Carolina. (Photo Credit: Office of the Governor of North Carolina)

On Tuesday, Acting Administrator White traveled to Western North Carolina to visit communities hit hard by Hurricane Helene and help expedite the recovery process working hand-in-hand with federal, state and local partners on the ground in the state.

Alongside NC Governor Roy Cooper and NCDOT Secretary of Transportation Joey Hopkins, Acting Administrator White visited Burnsville to assess the damage to transportation infrastructure, including Interstate 40 and US Highway 19W. While in Burnsville, White visited the Burnsville Fire Department to meet with the first responders who have been working around the clock to provide relief to the local community.

Kristin White and Joey Hopkins standing outside with man in yellow safety vest in background
FHWA Acting Administrator White speaks with NC Secretary of Transportation Joey Hopkins in Burnsville, North Carolina. (Photo Credit: FHWA)

The Biden-Harris Administration has mobilized a robust, multi-agency effort to support the communities impacted by Hurricane Helene across, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. The more than $130 million in Quick Release Emergency Relief funding coming to impacted states represent a down payment to help with the immediate aftermath of the hurricane. Additional funding will be flowing to affected communities supporting by the Emergency Relief program.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is closely following developments related to Hurricane Milton that is expected to make landfall in Florida on Wednesday, October 9th. The Federal Government is fully prepared to support affected communities wherever and whenever needed. Preparedness efforts are underway in conjunction with state and local partners. Florida residents are urged to stay alert, listen to local officials, and make additional preparations as needed.

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