North Carolina lawmakers have approved an additional $604 million in relief for areas affected by Hurricane Helene, following a prior allocation of $273 million. The total aid now stands at approximately $877 million, although this falls significantly short of Governor Roy Cooper's requested $3.9 billion. The funding aims to address critical needs such as infrastructure repairs, mental health services, and financial assistance for students and small businesses. Lawmakers emphasize the importance of swift action, but some Democrats argue that the aid is insufficient given the scale of damages estimated at $53 billion and the ongoing recovery challenges faced by the communities. The bill now awaits Governor Cooper's signature, with indications that further funding measures will be necessary in the future.