EPA announces $48 million for southeastern states to repair water systems impacted by Hurricane Helene

ATLANTA, Georgia (Sept. 30, 2025) – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $48 million in disaster relief supplemental funding to support water systems in southeastern states impacted by Hurricane Helene.  

“These funds are on their way to communities working hard to rebuild and harden water systems damaged and, in some cases, wiped out by Hurricane Helene,” said EPA Deputy Regional Administrator Jeaneanne Gettle. “These funds, combined with funds already allocated, will allow communities to continue recovering from such a catastrophic weather event.” 

North Carolina ($21 million), Florida ($17 million), Georgia ($6 million), South Carolina ($2 million) and Tennessee ($2 million) received funds.  

These funds are part of $60 million nationally allocated through the American Relief Act of 2025 for projects necessary for preventing, limiting or mitigating an emergency situation.  

In addition, EPA allocated almost $3 billion earlier this year through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) programs to repair and upgrade drinking water and wastewater systems to better withstand future natural disasters. 

Background 

On September 26, 2024,  Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 major hurricane in northwestern Florida, causing catastrophic flooding in five EPA Southeast Region states as well as Virginia. Federal Major Disaster Declarations covered parts of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.