FEMA Update

DISASTER AID: $15 MILLION TO INDIVIDUALS, $8 MILLION TO GOVERNMENTS

RALEIGH, N.C. – Federal and state disaster assistance grants and loans totaling more than
$15.2 million are helping North Carolina homeowners, renters and businesses recover from the severe storms and tornadoes of April 16.

In addition, nearly $8 million in federal Public Assistance funding has been approved for state agencies and local governments in the counties under the disaster declaration to pay for emergency measures and work to repair and replace storm-damaged infrastructure, buildings and equipment. Of that figure, nearly $7 million was for debris removal. Public Assistance is a cost-share program in which the Federal Emergency Management Agency pays 75 percent of the cost of eligible projects and the state pays the 25 percent nonfederal share.

"We measure recovery not only in dollars, but the progress we see in communities," N.C. Emergency Management Director Doug Hoell said. "Our partnership with FEMA is helping North Carolinians get back on their feet."

Through June 16, assistance to individuals includes:

· Nearly $4.9 million from FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program for temporary housing and home repairs.

· More than $1.9 million in Other Needs Assistance to help individuals replace personal property and pay for certain other disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other aid.

· More than $8.4 million in U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses.

“If you suffered damage or loss as a result of the April 16 storms and haven’t called FEMA, do it now, Federal Coordinating Officer Michael Bolch said. “You can always update your insurance information, but if you’re not registered by Monday, you won’t be eligible.”

· More than 9,100 people in the 19 counties under the disaster declaration have registered with FEMA for disaster assistance.

· More than 4,800 SBA disaster loan applications have been sent to homeowners and renters, of which 15 percent have been returned to SBA. FEMA’s housing assistance and Other Needs Assistance grants for medical, dental, and funeral expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA to be considered for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses. Applicants who do not qualify for an SBA loan may be eligible to receive Other Needs Assistance grants for these items.

· 32 families are now living in temporary manufactured housing units supplied by FEMA at the state’s request.

To register for FEMA disaster assistance, call 800-621-FEMA (3362). TTY 800-462-7585 is for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers. Registration can be done online at www.DisasterAssistance.govm.fema.gov and link to “apply online for federal assistance.” or with a web-enabled mobile device or smartphone at

All figures are through close of business June 16, 2011:

County	Registrations	Grants in $ for housing and other needs
Bertie	218	748,922
Bladen	458	204,898
Craven	51	26,881
Cumberland	1,625	819,066
Currituck	13	6,856
Greene	216	148,951
Halifax	288	95,018
Harnett	357	403,596
Hertford	61	91,714
Hoke	92	16,119
Johnston	460	1,010,411
Lee	524	644,391
Onslow	293	368,008
Pitt	167	65,195
Robeson	1,593	551,287
Sampson	349	144,410
Tyrrell	6	9,777
Wake	2,195	1,445,522
Wilson	162	23,909
Total	9,128	$6,829,931

For more information about this disaster, go to www.nccrimecontrol.org and click on the red “April Tornadoes” tab. More information is also available at www.fema.gov.