State Democrats called for a special session of the General Assembly following Hurricane Matthew’s devastating impact on the state. Twenty people were killed, thousands retreated to emergency shelters, and the storm transformed one-third of the state’s 100 counties into federal disaster areas.

Senate Minority Leader Dan Blue and House Rep. Billy Richardson urged legislators to address the emergency so that funds from the state’s rainy day reserves could be distributed. Republicans denied the request. House Speaker Tim Moore and Senator Phil Berger stated it would be better to wait until the waters recede to determine long-term needs.

The General Assembly is scheduled to reconvene when the regular session starts in February.