FEMA Considers Former Academy for Hurricane Relief

The former American Hebrew Academy in Greensboro, North Carolina, may soon serve as a shelter for families displaced by Hurricane Helene, as FEMA is finalizing an agreement to utilize the facility. This 100-acre campus, previously intended for unaccompanied migrant children, can accommodate approximately 800 residents and has been advocated for by local representatives, including Rep. Kathy Manning, who emphasized the urgent need for support following the hurricane's devastation. The facility's potential use has garnered mixed reactions from the community; while many residents express support, some neighbors have raised concerns about appropriateness for such use. The disaster, which struck in late September, resulted in significant destruction across western North Carolina and a death toll exceeding 230. Local officials, including former Rep. Mark Walker, have called for swift action to mobilize resources for the affected families. North Carolina's Congressional Republicans have formally requested the Biden administration to repurpose the facility for recovery efforts, highlighting its extensive capabilities for medical care and support.