In his inaugural speech, President Donald Trump highlighted the ongoing disaster in North Carolina, a stark reminder of how hurricanes, flooding, and other natural disasters devastate lives and communities. But beyond the immediate human impact, natural disasters also wreak havoc on the local economy of affected areas, with long-term consequences for small businesses, jobs, and community at-large.
J&S Cafeteria opened its initial location in Asheville at the River Ridge Marketplace Mall. Grady Allred, Jr. quickly grew his new restaurant to three locations in the mountain based community, eventually expanding to become the second largest cafeteria in North Carolina. The midsize business employed and fed Asheville residents, tourists, and visitors, not to mention supported a wide range of local causes.
The cafeteria is now struggling to survive after weathering COVID restrictions, an unexpected fire, and now a natural disaster that’s preventing them from resuming normal operations.
This dual crisis — humanitarian and economic — demands the federal government to fundamentally rethink how we manage disaster relief in the United States.
The federal government’s track record on disaster response has been inconsistent at best, with agencies like FEMA often overwhelmed and underfunded. What should be a streamlined, people-centered approach is too often bogged down by bureaucracy and politicized decision-making.
Past natural disasters left deep economic scars on North Carolina, where agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism are vital to the state GDP. In recent years, hurricanes have caused billions of dollars in damages to farms, infrastructure, and local businesses. Hurricane Florence in 2018, for example, inflicted an estimated $17 billion in damage, with farmers losing entire crop seasons and livestock. Meanwhile, floods disrupt supply chains, destroy storefronts, and reduce consumer spending, leaving local economies crippled long after the clean up is completed.
Family-owned farms bear the brunt of federal inaction. North Carolina is a donor state to the federal government, which means we contribute more in federal taxes than we receive back in federal spending. North Carolina falls into this category because residents and businesses pay significant amounts in federal income, payroll, and corporate taxes, yet the state does not receive proportional federal funding in areas like disaster relief, infrastructure, or other programs.
Small businesses — often the lifeblood of rural communities — are hit particularly hard. Many lack the insurance or capital reserves to rebuild quickly, forcing shutdowns that ripple through local communities. According to recent estimates, over 40% of small businesses affected by a major disaster never reopen. When businesses fail, the tax base shrinks, public services suffer, and recovery stalls.
To break this cycle, the federal government needs to take disaster relief out of the political arena. One potential solution is the creation of an independent National Disaster Relief Agency (NDRA) — a specialized entity that operates autonomously, much like the Federal Reserve. This agency would have the singular mission of responding to disasters with speed, efficiency, and fairness, free from the delays caused by partisan gridlock.
An independent NDRA could ensure that funds are distributed based on need rather than political convenience. It could also establish a disaster resilience fund to help states like North Carolina invest in infrastructure improvements, such as flood barriers, resilient power grids, water and sewer upgrades, reducing the long-term economic costs of disasters. Additionally, this agency could provide direct support to small businesses, offering grants and low-interest loans to help them rebuild and reopen quickly.
Disasters are not partisan. Hurricanes don’t ask about your political affiliation before tearing through your home or business. Yet, our disaster response system is deeply politicized. States perceived as politically aligned with the federal administration often receive faster and more comprehensive aid than those that are not. This uneven approach exacerbates inequalities and leaves vulnerable communities at even greater risk.
Investing in a revamped disaster relief system is not just an act of compassion — it’s smart economics. Studies show that every dollar spent on disaster preparedness saves six dollars in recovery costs. By focusing on proactive measures and fair recovery, we can save lives, protect livelihoods, and create a more resilient economy.
North Carolina’s experience is a microcosm of a larger national problem. It’s time to put people over politics. The federal government must rise to meet this challenge with bold reforms, starting with the depoliticization of disaster relief. North Carolina — and the nation — deserves better.
