Chimney Rock, North Carolina — From the well-worn inside of a hearth division in Western North Carolina, Markwayne Mullin reassured native officers that as homeland safety secretary, he intends to reform the Federal Emergency Administration Company — not remove it.
Mullin, on his first official go to in his new function, traveled to Chimney Rock, a tiny mountain city that was devastated by Hurricane Helene in September 2024 after 22.5 inches of rain devoured roughly half of all houses alongside the Rocky Broad River, carrying 1.2 million tons of sediment and wreckage to close by Lake Lure — making a 15 foot deep particles discipline. The lake will reopen in two weeks.
It was this backdrop the place Mullin instructed officers that his aim is to shift FEMA’s function away from being a major responder and towards funding state and native governments. “We should not be the primary ones in and the final ones out,” Mullin mentioned. “The state is rather more geared up… however we may be there to get them previous the primary heavy raise.”
It took a number of lifts to dig out Chimney Rock — a course of native, state and federal officers instructed Mullin remains to be ongoing, 18 months later — challenged by some uniquely cussed crimson tape afflicting the mountainous area that was not constructed to resist main hurricanes. The dialogue, led by GOP Sen. Ted Budd, introduced collectively emergency responders, elected leaders and FEMA officers who talked in regards to the scale of devastation in tens of thousands and thousands of {dollars} and in years.
Requested about delays and a backlog of FEMA initiatives, Mullin mentioned the company is working to speed up approvals earlier than the quick approaching hurricane season on June 1. “We’re making an attempt to push these items ahead as quick as attainable … so we aren’t getting into hurricane season behind,” he mentioned, noting FEMA remains to be managing 22 open and pending main disasters nationwide.
The brand new secretary bounced a small, pink rubber ball — his signature quirk — as he shook arms with locals and acknowledged frustration from residents who really feel forgotten, pointing to latest funding approvals as progress. His go to got here sooner or later after FEMA introduced $26 million to purchase out 75 houses in North Carolina — a transfer geared toward serving to households relocate out of high-risk flood zones and clearing the way in which for long-term mitigation.
Nonetheless, the repair comes as 1000’s of instances stay unresolved. “We acquired the primary 75 out, however we’re wanting on the different ones,” he mentioned, referring to housing help. “We’re actually… working from the best to the toughest ones. We acquired to get the cash flowing in some unspecified time in the future. That is a part of the backlog.”
Nicole Sganga
Officers like Budd applauded Mullin’s determination to rescind a memo from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem final summer season requiring her workplace’s approval on all DHS contracts and grants over $100,000 — together with FEMA catastrophe aid. “That is management,” Budd supplied pointedly.
In June 2025, President Trump instructed reporters he wished to “wean” states off FEMA help after the 2025 hurricane season, and had at one level floated closing the catastrophe aid company. In response to questions on the way forward for FEMA, Mullin pushed again on ideas the company may very well be shuttered for good.
“I believe the president was speaking about reforming FEMA,” he mentioned. “We need to ensure that we get the greenback nearer to the state… as a result of whenever you’re coping with federal contracts… the worth appears to double due to the quantity of forms.”
Mullin additionally confirmed the administration is engaged on naming a everlasting FEMA administrator, although he declined to supply specifics. “We might have recognized somebody, but it surely’s an extended course of,” he mentioned, including that Senate affirmation stays a major hurdle.
A thousand-year storm
Native leaders and first responders described widespread destruction from Helene’s historic rainfall and flooding as a “thousand-year storm” that worn out roads, severed houses, broken utilities and left some communities nonetheless struggling to revive fundamental companies.
A number of pointed to the pressure on smaller, rural counties that should entrance the prices for restoration initiatives and await months on federal reimbursement — typically with restricted workers and sources. Officers bemoaned overlapping guidelines, sluggish approvals and inflexible insurance policies which have sophisticated rebuilding efforts whereas burying survivors in paperwork.
Mullin indicated he was open to making an attempt to streamline processes, scale back backlogs and provides extra decision-making flexibility to native leaders. However for residents of western North Carolina who’re nonetheless ready for support, Mullin struck a cautious tone.
“We will do the whole lot we are able to presumably do to make it occur,” he mentioned. “However the federal authorities is not going to deal with all people’s issues … we’re there to assist ease the ache.”
In the course of the go to, Mullin additionally promised that FEMA employees can be paid for his or her hours labored throughout the first six weeks of the shutdown by Friday, with all pay checks reaching their financial institution accounts by Monday, the most recent.
Nicole Sganga 
“That is my hometown”
Eighteen months after Helene, trailers are nonetheless seen alongside the banks of the Rocky Broad River. Particles falls from houses spliced open by the floodwaters.
The Chimney Rock Hearth Division served as each refuge and command submit when Helene tore by way of western North Carolina, bringing mudslides and flash flooding that ripped aside houses and washed away roads. Chimney Rock State Park closed for 9 months because of the hurricane.
Inside the fireplace station, Hearth Chief Chris Melton, gestured towards a torn-up American flag hanging behind the corridor.
“I have never introduced that flag out till yesterday,” Melton mentioned, his voice catching. “It was pulled out of the river as we was doing a little rescues.” As he wiped away a tear, he might supply solely, “That is my hometown.”
Mullin listened, after which pointed towards the flag. “I believe it needs to be framed.” He requested Melton, “Would you permit me to pay for that body?” The chief nodded. Mullin directed one of many FEMA staff to ship him the invoice instantly.
Nicole Sganga 
For the brand new secretary, the check will likely be whether or not the symbolic gestures and guarantees made in rooms like this translate into quicker assist earlier than hurricane season begins.
Hours earlier, traversed the banks of the Broad River with native leaders, leaping over boulders and surveying what residents right here nonetheless confer with as “the city that washed away” — the place floodwaters piled particles, ripped aside mountain cottages and reshaped the now winding and jagged panorama.
Alongside the river, residents at River Watch Bar and Grille watched the spectacle, remarking that they could not keep in mind the final time they noticed this many individuals crowded alongside its banks. The parking heaps within the as soon as tourist-lined road overflowed with black SUVs and white vans, as Mullin shuffled into a close-by present store promoting “home made fudge.”
“I assume that is what occurs when the federal government involves city,” one remarked.
One other chuckled, calling it a “canine and pony present.”
The bartender smiled, noting the kitchen had been slammed for days, ever since Interstate-64 reopened site visitors from close by Asheville into the city final week. “However hey, we’re not mad at it,” she mentioned. “We’re simply comfortable that everyone is lastly right here.”
