Helene: Auditor says costly base camps were necessary, need contractual review

(The Center Square) – Fifty-five base camps established through a Texas company in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene nearly two years ago averaged costing more than $500,000 a day.

In a rapid response special report from the state auditor, costs associated with the camps and operated by SLSCO Ltd. under a 2023 contract with North Carolina Emergency Management. SLS provided turn-key operations for base camps and comfort stations that cost $111 million over seven months.

Rates charged were based on anticipated number of people at each location rather than actual usage, with general staff earning $85 an hour and a POD manager $145.50 per hour. Site coordinators earned $12,100 per week, the equivalent of an annual salary of $629,200.

The cost for a single bed tabulated to roughly $800 per night and individual meals to $41.67.

“These base camps wer...