North Carolina is requesting an additional $13.5 billion from the federal government nearly one year after Hurricane Helene ravaged the western part of the state.

Responders from the Eastern Band of Cherokee, FEMA Urban Search and Rescue's Massachusetts Task Force 1, and local responders conduct a recovery operation in Clyde, Haywood County, North Carolina, on October 2, 2024, after Hurricane Helene. On Monday, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein asked the federal government for $13.5 billion in additional funding as the state continues to recover one year later. File Photo by Madeleine Cook/FEMA/UPI UPI

Sept. 15 (UPI) -- North Carolina is requesting an additional $13.5 billion from the federal government nearly a year after Hurricane Helene ravaged the western part of the state.

Democratic Gov. Josh Stein asked Congress on Monday to approve the recovery aid for Western North Carolina, saying that the federal funds delivered so far have covered only 9% of the storm's $60 billion in damages, as he plans to travel to Washington, D.C., this week for meetings.

"Western North Carolina has not received anywhere near what it needs, nor our fair share," Stein said. "States that were similarly devastated following Hurricanes Katrina, Maria or Sandy saw 70% of their damages covered by federal funding."

"Next week, as we all know, will mark the one-year milestone since Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina," Stein added. "One year since hundreds-of-thousands of North Carolinians had their lives turned upside-down."

"Today, I am making a new request of Congress for an additional $13.5 billion in recovery assistance, and I'll be heading to Washington on Wednesday for meetings to further this request to our federal partners."

During Monday's announcement, Stein outlined work the state has done to help residents and businesses get back on their feet.

"I have been pleased to work with the General Assembly to pass two bipartisan appropriation bills in excess of a billion dollars in recovery funding," he said. "Important efforts for housing, private roads and bridges, local government infrastructure, agriculture and crop loss and education."

"The people of North Carolina are not asking for a handout," Stein said. "They're asking for a hand up to get back on their feet."

Hurricane Helene struck much of the Southeastern United States on Sept. 26, 2024, killing 230 people across six states. The storm flooded towns and destroyed homes across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

Last April, federal officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency cut full funding for storm recovery efforts in North Carolina, as state lawmakers urged the president to reconsider FEMA's decision.

"We're talking about $60 billion in damages. That's almost double our entire state budget," said N.C. Sen. Kevin Corbin, who spoke alongside the governor. "The legislature has already appropriated more than $2 billion in relief, four times more than we've ever done for a storm. But we need our federal government to continue to partner with us."

Stein says the state needs funding for housing, small businesses, local governments and roads and bridges.

"We are grateful for every federal dollar that we have received because it brings us closer to recovery, but we need more help," Stein said.

"The next stage of recovery is going to require a new commitment from Congress and from the administration to not forget the people of Western North Carolina."