The North Carolina Office of the State Auditor released a report stating that the base camps providing aid to western North Carolina residents during Hurricane Helene cost the state over $111 million.
Base Camp Operations
The report found that 55 base camps were in operation during a seven-month period following the storm in September 2024, with expenses averaging $516,592 per day. The base camps, run by North Carolina Emergency Management and Texas-based disaster response coordinator SLSCO LTD, provided essential services such as water, meals, restrooms, showers, and laundry for people impacted by the hurricane.
A one-night stay in a single bed cost roughly $800, and individual meals were $41.67. Site coordinators were paid $12,100 per week, and general staff were paid $87.30 per hour, with overtime rates at 1.5 times standard pay.
Original reporting: WRAL Raleigh — read the source article.
