A new Special Report from the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor (OSA) found a Hurricane Helene relief station set up in Swannanoa, N.C. had an average daily cost of over $145,000.
The “Community Care Station” provided the public with showers, laundry, bathrooms, access to cell towers and WiFi, potable and non-potable water, and access to counseling services. The station was open from October 2024 through April 2025. OSA’s Rapid Response Division estimates the total cost of the station to be $27.4 million.
The average daily cost of the station – according to invoices from the vendor – was $145,217. Over the time it was open, the station provided a total of approximately 14,000 showers and 18,000 loads of laundry. The Rapid Response Division estimates the total cost of providing laundry services was $3.9 million, equal to roughly $220 per load of laundry.
“In the middle of a disaster, providing a warm shower, laundry facilities to wash clothes, and a place to rest is responsive to the public need. That said, the government must always be cognizant of costs and routinely assess if we are making the most out of tax dollars," said State Auditor Dave Boliek. "Billions of dollars are spent on disaster relief, and North Carolinians deserve to know where those dollars are going, how much contracts cost, and what the end result is. The State Auditor's Office will continue to evaluate dollars spent on hurricane relief. The more information we produce, the more can be learned about where improvements need be made in response to the next disaster.”
Additionally, the Rapid Response Division looked at labor invoices which showed staff at the station were paid an hourly rate of up to $145.50 per hour and given a $215 per diem. These labor expenses were not included in the average daily cost of the station.
The Rapid Response Division recommended more frequent analysis and monitoring of cost, use, and need for Comfort Care Stations, and that planning for future disaster response include contingencies for this type of facility. Further, that tracking of utilization and demand be conducted at the onset rather than a month after the services open.
Note: Per diem is commonly defined as a stipend designated to cover expenses incurred by employees during business travel.