U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan visited Asheville, North Carolina, to assess the ongoing recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. He was joined by North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Senator Thom Tillis, Congressman Chuck Edwards, and Asheville Mayor Esther E. Manheimer.

The visit underscored the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to restoring essential services in areas affected by the hurricane, particularly focusing on ensuring access to safe drinking water. "Together with our federal and state partners here in North Carolina, the Biden-Harris Administration is committed to restoring essential services for the communities affected by Hurricane Helene as soon as possible," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan.

During his visit, Administrator Regan toured several key operational sites starting at the EPA Mobile Command Center in Lake Junaluska. This center coordinates response activities and field data for local decision-makers. He also inspected the EPA Mobile Drinking Water Lab in Asheville, which plays a crucial role in providing rapid water quality analyses.

At the conclusion of his tour at the North Fork Water Treatment Plant, Regan was accompanied by Governor Cooper and other officials to evaluate progress on restoring Asheville's water infrastructure.

EPA has been actively involved in recovery operations since early October. The agency has restored service to more than 75 drinking water systems serving approximately 260,000 people in Asheville and surrounding areas. Efforts include monitoring water quality through mobile labs, managing waste disposal safely with state authorities, offering technical assistance for infrastructure recovery, and advising on public health protection measures.

For further details on EPA's initiatives related to Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, residents are encouraged to visit EPA’s dedicated response page.