Disaster Recovery

Hurricane Helene didn’t just flood roads and homes—it disrupted lives, livelihoods, and entire communities. Long after the waters receded, families are still dealing with repairs, insurance gaps, financial strain, and uncertainty about the future. While recovery remains an urgent priority, Suzanne believes we must also invest in long-term resilience-strengthening infrastructure, supporting local communities, and preparing for future disasters so Western North Carolina is never left vulnerable again. 

RECOVERY 

Recovery shouldn’t be rushed or forgotten. Short-term stop-gaps have come and gone, and now we need leadership that stays engaged. Suzanne wants to go to Raleigh to cut through red tape and make sure recovery dollars actually reach the people who need them. That means standing up for rural mountain communities and making sure rebuilding is done right—not just fast. 

RESILIENCE

For Suzanne, it's not just about recovering, it's about ensuring that Western North Carolina can handle disasters going forward. For her it's about partnering with local communities to pursue mitigation strategies that reduce repeat flooding. She wants to implement infrastructure upgrades, land-use planning, and environmentally sound building practices that reflect mountain geography and climate realities.

These mountains are beautiful and resilient, providing valuable resources to local people and economies.  Now more than ever, it is the responsibility of its leaders to protect them.