Stein signs 5 Helene recovery executive orders in first action as governor

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — North Carolina Governor Josh Stein visited Asheville Thursday afternoon on his first full day in office to announce his first executive orders. Stein’s team said the orders will support Helene recovery efforts for businesses and families.

ALSO: Josh Stein was sworn in as North Carolina’s governor

Channel 9′s Dave Faherty was in one of the hardest hit communities in Old Fort Thursday where they’re still cleaning up months after the storm hit.

He said he witnessed some of the cleanup efforts firsthand as seven churches from central Georgia are in Old Fort gutting and rebuilding homes.

Gov. Stein in Asheville, announcing first executive orders

“These folks are a Godsend,” Taylor said. “The Lord works in mysterious ways. These guys have been a blessing to me and my wife.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency told Channel 9 earlier this week that there are still more than 5,300 families, using transitional shelters, staying at motels and hotels.

Stein signed five executive orders on Thursday.

He spoke about the need for the state to help with temporary housing and private roads and bridges.

“Folks have to have a safe place to live,” Stein said. “More than 12,000 remain displaced. And as we are in the coldest months of the year. It is urgent that people have warm and safe places to live now.”

The governor announced a limited waiver on regulations so the state can increase the supply of temporary housing on people’s property.

He also enlisted emergency management to find ways to fix private roads and bridges.

Brent Redfern is part of the church group from Georgia and is glad to hear more assistance is coming from North Carolina.

“Most people don’t have $40-$50,000 just sitting around a bank account that they can tap and just start rebuilding,” Redfern said. “If he could make funds available to put these homes back together, that would be awesome.”

Stein also announced the creation of the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina.

Part of its mission will be addressing long-term housing construction and community resilience.

Stein was sworn in to office on Wednesday, he spoke about the urgent need to “rebuild housing, support small businesses, and restore broken infrastructure.”

He also talked about the importance of Democrats and Republicans working together to meet the needs in western North Carolina.

(WATCH: Hundreds gather for reopening of Boone Walmart damaged by Helene)