Struggling After Storms: Farmers, Businesses, and Homeowners Wait for Aid

In the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, farmers, business owners, and homeowners across the southeastern United States find themselves in limbo. The storms left behind devastation, with Helene alone causing over $60 billion in damage, primarily in North Carolina. Congress is grappling with a spending bill that includes $100 billion for disaster relief, but the process has hit a snag after President-elect Donald Trump rejected a bipartisan plan. For small business owners like Jessie Dean, founder of Asheville Tea Co. , the delay is critical. Her business was washed away by floods, leaving her with no equipment or inventory. She's grateful for community support but stresses that more help is essential. "I'm talking to friends daily who are debating whether to keep their businesses running, " she said. Farmers face similar struggles. Georgia pecan farmer Scott Hudson, who lost thousands of trees and a significant portion of his crop, underscores the need for federal assistance. "Without this money, many of us won't be farming much longer, " he warned. "American agriculture needs this support to stay in business, not just to be profitable. "Homeowners like retired engineer Thomas Ellzey are also affected. His house in Fairview, North Carolina, has been filled with mud for nearly three months. Despite pre-qualifying for a low-interest loan from the SBA, he's been told the agency lacks funds and is waiting on Congress. "Going back into debt at my age is tough, " Ellzey admitted. The spending bill aims to provide $2. 2 billion for low-interest loans, $8 billion for road repairs, and $12 billion in block grants for communities hit by disasters. This money would benefit not only those affected by recent hurricanes but also those impacted by other past disasters like droughts and wildfires. Stan Gimont, a senior adviser for community recovery, emphasizes the ongoing financial burden of past disasters. "Even though events like the Maui fire in Hawaii happened in the past, the bills are yet to be fully paid, " he said.