Helene: Avery, Yancey schools still closed in 5th week of recovery

(The Center Square) – Now in the fifth week of recovery after Hurricane Helene struck North Carolina, schools in Avery and Yancey counties are closed, according to the state’s Department of Public Instruction.

A total of 28 school districts were damaged, department spokeswoman Mary Lee Gibson Belz told The Center Square.

That includes 459 traditional public schools and 24 charter public schools, she said.

The Legislature on Thursday approved more than $65 million in funding for building repairs and other hurricane-related costs, she said.

The funding includes $50 million for building repairs and innovations; $5 million for damaged technology; $5 million for nutrition, supplies, food and equipment loss; and $5 million for mental health services for students and staff.

The legislation also allows school districts to add up to 20 extra days to the school calendar to make up for days lost after the hurricane.

“While the 20-day flexibility will work for most counties, we have now learned some counties are likely not going to be able to return to the classroom until early November,” the state said in a release. “As of now, these counties include Mitchell, Yancy, and Asheville City/Buncombe.”

Gov. Roy Cooper signed the state’s second hurricane relief bill on Friday. Lawmakers have pledged more assistance is coming as assessments continue.

According to early estimates, the state suffered $53 billion in damage from the hurricane, a proposal by Cooper says. That’s about three times the amount from Hurricane Florence estimates in 2018, which was then the largest in North Carolina history, the governor said.

“Western North Carolina needs significant investments to recover fully from the worst storm our state has ever seen,” the governor said in a statement. “Legislators have taken a small step here and should follow it with a more comprehensive package to help families, businesses and communities build back stronger.”