North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper Commits to “Rebuilding Smarter and Stronger"

(RALEIGH, NC – Oct. 10, 2018) North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper called today for $1.5 billion in state funding to recover from Hurricane Florence, saying “an unprecedented storm requires an unprecedented response.”

The governor’s request of the state legislature included a set of recovery recommendations, outlined in the preliminary Hurricane Florence needs assessment.

“Gov. Cooper has wasted no time in responding to Hurricane Florence with the appropriate level of concern and action, but there is still much to be sorted out in the details of his recommendations, which will have significant consequences for North Carolinians.

“The governor’s recommendation to increase funding for buyouts of houses and farms in flood-prone areas is a good start for helping North Carolina communities recover. But policymakers must consider the full suite of potential solutions, including much-needed investments in natural infrastructure, and pursue the most cost-effective options that can be deployed rapidly to reduce risks for communities in the near- and long-term.

“Rebuilding smarter and stronger requires all options be on the table when deciding on the best strategies to increase the resilience of North Carolina.”

• Will McDow, Director of Resilient Landscapes, Environmental Defense Fund