On April 7, 2026, Markwayne Mullin, the newly appointed Secretary of Homeland Security, made his first official visit to Chimney Rock, North Carolina, a small mountain town severely damaged by Hurricane Helene in September 2024. His visit came amid ongoing efforts to recover from the devastating storm, which dropped 22.5 inches of rain and caused massive flooding along the Rocky Broad River. The floodwaters destroyed roughly half of the homes in the area, carried 1.2 million tons of sediment and debris into nearby Lake Lure, and left a 15-foot-deep debris field in the lake. Though the lake is set to reopen in two weeks, the recovery in Chimney Rock is far from complete.
During his visit to the local fire department-a building marked by wear and the scars of the disaster-Mullin sought to reassure local officials and residents about the future of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Contrary to earlier reports and concerns, Mullin emphasized that his goal is not to eliminate FEMA but to reform the agency. He articulated a vision of shifting FEMA's role away from being the primary disaster responder and instead focusing on providing funding and support to state and local governments. "We shouldn't be the first ones in and the last ones out," Mullin said, explaining that state agencies are often better equipped to handle disasters but need federal assistance to get through the initial heavy lifting.
The recovery from Hurricane Helene has been slow and challenging, compounded by bureaucratic red tape and the geographic difficulties of the mountainous region, which was not designed to withstand such an intense hurricane. Local, state, and federal officials described to Mullin the scale of destruction, which involves tens of millions of dollars in damages, and emphasized that the cleanup and rebuilding efforts are still ongoing 18 months after the storm. The conversation, moderated by Republican Senator Ted Budd, brought together emergency responders, elected leaders, and FEMA officials who candidly discussed the backlog of recovery projects and the frustrations of residents still waiting for aid.
Mullin acknowledged the delays and assured that FEMA is working to accelerate approvals and clear the backlog before the hurricane season begins on June 1. "We're trying to push this stuff forward as fast as possible... so we aren't entering hurricane season behind," he said, noting that FEMA is currently managing 22 open and pending major disasters nationwide. He also pointed to recent progress, such as FEMA's announcement the day before his visit of $26 million in funding to buy out 75 homes in North Carolina. This program aims to help families relocate from high-risk flood zones and to facilitate long-term mitigation efforts.
Despite these steps forward, many cases remain unresolved. Mullin explained that FEMA is prioritizing assistance by working from the easiest cases to the most complex, acknowledging the need to get money flowing to survivors as quickly as possible. "We got the first 75 out, but we're looking at the other ones," he said. The backlog is a significant challenge, and officials emphasized that smaller, rural counties are particularly strained, often having to cover upfront recovery costs and wait months for federal reimbursement with limited staff and resources.
Senator Budd praised Mullin's leadership, particularly his decision to rescind a controversial memo issued last summer by then-DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. The memo had required DHS approval for all contracts and grants over $100,000, including FEMA disaster relief funds, which many saw as an unnecessary bottleneck. Budd called the reversal "leadership," signaling bipartisan support for efforts to reduce bureaucracy and speed up aid.
Mullin also addressed rumors surrounding the future of FEMA. In June 2025, former President Trump had expressed a desire to "wean" states off federal disaster assistance after the 2025 hurricane season and had even suggested the possibility of closing FEMA. Mullin pushed back against the idea of shutting down the agency. "I think the president was talking about reforming FEMA," he said. He explained that the goal is to ensure that federal disaster dollars reach states more directly, as "when you're dealing with federal contracts... the price seems to double because of the amount of bureaucracy."
In addition to reform efforts, Mullin confirmed that the administration is working on naming a permanent FEMA administrator, though he declined to provide details, citing the lengthy nomination and Senate confirmation process.
Local leaders and first responders painted a stark picture of the damage wrought by Hurricane Helene, describing it as a "thousand-year storm" that destroyed roads, severed homes, damaged utilities, and left communities struggling to restore basic services. They criticized overlapping rules, slow approvals, and inflexible policies that have complicated rebuilding efforts and overwhelmed survivors with paperwork.
Mullin expressed openness to streamlining FEMA's processes, reducing backlogs, and giving more decision-making power to local communities. Nonetheless, he was careful not to overpromise, warning that while the federal government is committed to helping, it cannot solve every problem. "We're going to do everything we can possibly do to make it happen," he said. "But the federal government isn't going to take care of everybody's problems... we're there to help ease the pain."
During his visit, Mullin also addressed another pressing issue: the pay of FEMA workers affected by a recent government shutdown. He promised that employees would receive payment for hours worked during the first six weeks of the shutdown by the end of the week, with paychecks reaching their bank accounts by Monday at the latest.
The ongoing recovery is visible throughout Chimney Rock. Trailers still line the banks of the Rocky Broad River, and debris hangs from homes torn open by floodwaters. The local fire department, which served as both refuge and command center during the storm, remains a symbol of the town's resilience. Fire Chief Chris Melton showed Mullin a tattered American flag that had been pulled from the river during rescue efforts. Overcome with emotion, Melton said, "This is my hometown." Mullin responded by suggesting the flag be framed and offered to pay for it, a gesture that underscored the personal connection and seriousness of his visit.
Earlier in the day, Mullin had toured the riverbanks with local leaders, navigating rocky terrain and surveying the dramatic changes wrought by the flood. Residents, gathered at local establishments such as the River Watch Bar and Grille, noted the unusual presence of government officials and media. Some joked about the visit being a "dog and pony show," while others expressed cautious optimism and gratitude that attention was finally being paid to their long-neglected community.
Chimney Rock State Park, a regional landmark that closed for nine months following Helene, is on the verge of reopening, symbolizing a step toward normalcy. Yet the scars of the storm remain etched into the landscape and the lives of residents.
Mullin's visit to Chimney Rock highlighted the complex challenges faced by communities recovering from major natural disasters and underscored the federal government's evolving role in disaster response and recovery. His emphasis on reforming FEMA to better support state and local efforts, reducing bureaucratic hurdles, and accelerating aid reflects a broader shift in disaster management policy. Whether these promises will translate into tangible improvements remains to be seen, especially as the June hurricane season approaches and communities like Chimney Rock continue their long road to recovery.