Gov. Roy Cooper on Thursday signed the state’s first relief package to address Hurricane Helene’s devastation, allocating $273 million.

The governor has signed the first relief bill passed in the wake of Hurricane Helene’s historic devastation across North Carolina. On Thursday, the governor’s office announced that Governor Roy Cooper signed HB 149 into law.

North Carolina lawmakers unanimously approved a bill that will allot $273 million toward Helene recovery efforts Wednesday night. Gov. Roy Cooper has now signed it into law. "Recovery for Western North Carolina will require unprecedented help from state and federal sources and this legislation is a strong first step.