RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – Lawmakers in Raleigh have not come to an agreement on a final state budget, which means North Carolina’s Savings Reserve Fund, also known as the rainy-day fund, hasn’t been replenished since it took a major hit after Hurricane Helene.

“It is always a risk to let that drop because, as we saw with Helene last year, the amount of damage far out exceeded the rainy day fund,” David McLennan with Meredith College said.

The fund has dipped below its typical $4.75 billion amount.

“To put it in perspective, it’s down about 30% from its peak; it was at almost $5 billion at one point,” McLennan said.

Right now, the fund is sitting at around $3.6 billion. That money could be needed if Tropical Storm Erin impacts North Carolina next week, something meteorologists are watching

See Full Page